*Ansh Pov*

After Anusha left, I climbed the stairs to return to my room as Mom and Dad continued to chat with each other in the study room and it seems Kirthi already left for her room.

I sighed reaching her room and lifted my hand to knock on the door but even after a few knocks she didn't open it and so I turned the knob but it's locked.

Maybe she is upset as I was continuously pestering her about the marriage. I know I shouldn't do that but... but I just miss her and miss the moments we used to have when we were at her place.

If not for thinking about my parent's approval for our relationship, I would have decided to go back to her place instead of staying here.

After a few minutes, as she is not responding to the knocks and even cutting off my calls, I turned to walk towards my room but got stopped by Mom who called me from downstairs.

"Can you call Kirthi? I want to note down today's recipe properly." I stared at Mom in silence.

"She already slept off, Mom." She nodded without saying anything to that and added, "Let her sleep! She must be tired instead of taking a rest during these two days. I will ask her tomorrow."

After saying that she walked off while I continued to stand there feeling confused. Wait a minute! That doesn't seem to be a concern just for cooking and she is genuinely concerned for Kirthi.

I smiled at that thought and immediately reached her room but of course, she didn't budge at all. Fine! I will just talk to her tomorrow as she can't escape all the time.

However, when I reached my room and turned the knob I couldn't help but think what if she leaves the house because of my pressure and decided to break up with me... my thoughts got cut off when I took a step into my room.

"What are you..." she cut off my words by covering my mouth and pulled me into the room before closing the door.

"Why don't you take a megaphone and ask that? Do you know how much hard work I did to surprise you but you were about to get us caught." She complained shaking her head while I just stared at her in silence.

"What? What happened? Still mad? I am here to spend the night like you wish to and... I will think about marriage also. It's just I don't want to lie to you saying I am fine with it. Okay?" she asked and I just blinked at her.

"Should I go back to my room? Going to stay mad? Fine! I will just go then and stay mad for as long as you want." She mumbled while I just patted the hand covering my mouth.

"Oh!" she immediately removed the hand and I smiled before pulling her into my arms.

"How can I even stay mad? I was waiting near your room to apologize and you even cut the calls. I was worried thinking you got mad at me and wouldn't talk to me and I even thought what if you leave this house and then break up with me. You scared me so much by the way." I replied and she cleared her throat while looking away.

"And I didn't just like your surprise but loved it. How about we do this every day?" I offered and she immediately shook her head.

"They will immediately reject us if we get caught and I am slowly winning your Mom I think. So, don't plan such things." She warned me but moved her hands to circle my neck.

"Thank you!" I whispered pecking her lips and she frowned in confusion.

"Why?" she asked to which I moved us to lay down on the bed and pulled her into my arms.

"You actually don't believe in doing things to get acceptance from anyone but you are trying so much for my sake. If not for me, then you wouldn't have to go through any kind of rejections." I explained and she chuckled before moving her hand to caress my face.

She trailed her fingers over my eyes and then shifted to my nose and then to my lips before pecking them while smiling at me.

"Don't forget my broken engagement because of status. I am actually fine with this as I know even if your parents will reject me, you wouldn't leave me like my Ex-fiance." She pointed out while I frowned.

"I can't believe you put that person as a standard and glad because I am higher than him." I whispered shaking my head.

"I actually got so mad at his parents for treating you like that at that time but I am unable to do anything with my own parents." I sighed and she immediately pulled me closer in her arms.

"Don't! Your parents are also way ahead than the way his parents treated me. And recently they are treating me as a part of this family too. So, don't think like that and pressure yourself." She stated and I just stared at her.

I slowly nodded after a few seconds and she closed her eyes saying, "I am so tired with all that cooking and I am glad the cook is returning tomorrow."

"I just hope that Satvik will not get into another of his plans and create the same mess." I mumbled but she shook her head.

"He did all that for our sake, remember? He asked me before what are my hobbies and that weekend he started with sudden cooking. He planned all this so that Aunty will not treat me as a stranger anymore." She explained and I sighed caressing her back.

"So, should I accept him for my sister?" I asked frowning and she immediately shook her head in negative.

"Those two are completely different things and I am just saying all this so that you will not think bad about whatever he does in this house as is doing all the things for your sister. However, I am not asking you to forgive him and your forgiveness doesn't matter as Anusha should be the one to decide anything in this matter." She pointed out and I sighed nodding.

After that, she slowly drifted off into sleep and I followed her but didn't let go of her while feeling happy about how I didn't actually mess up and she understood my worry too.

****

"Don't make a sound, Ansh!" Kirthi warned me as I teased her when she is slowly walking to her room early in the morning before anyone wakes up.

"If you let anyone know because of your actions, I will not come back to your room again." She warned and I finally stopped teasing her.

After she walked into her room, I smiled turning to walk back into my room but paused looking at the person who is climbing up the stairs.

"Don't worry! I will not tell anyone." He assured me and walked towards his room.

"Thank you!" I suddenly said and he turned frowning at me.

"Thanks for trying to help us." I added and he smiled shaking his head.

"I am doing this just for Anusha and of course for Kirthi as she is my sister after all." Saying that he walked into his room while I groaned.

I will definitely never get closer to him no matter what. I shook my head and walked into my room to sleep longer as she woke up me so early to leave.

I thought after the cook will return, Mom will go back to her normal treatment towards Kirthi but she continued to talk to her making me smile.

I left for work happily that day but frowned when I found Dad to be busy recently and not actually telling me what it is about.

And to top of that, I even found Satvik sometimes visiting our company. I don't know what they are doing and when I ask they don't say anything at all.

I ignored them to concentrate on the work as Kirthi messaged asking me to pick her up as it may rain in the evening.

*Kirthi Pov*

"Aunty! I heard you are planning to add more plants to the garden. Why don't you ask Kirthi as it is her hobby?" Satvik suddenly asked startling me as I was concentrating on my food instead of the things that are going on around me.

Ansh didn't return yet due to work and so I kept quiet during the dinner but Satvik suddenly dragged me into the conversation.

"Really?" Aunty asked and I slowly nodded to which she smiled.

"I am glad that you know as it seems a few trees are dying because of the weather. Why don't you tell me what to do with those as they are gifts from a few important people?" she asked and I nodded saying I will do that after we finish dinner.

"No need! You just returned from work and so you can go and get rest. We can do it this weekend." I slowly nodded at those words before glancing at Satvik's smiling face.

"Satvik! Come to the study room." Uncle called him and he nodded after which they both walked off while Aunty frowned.

"I don't know what these two are doing these days always staying in the study together. I never thought my husband would accept someone who hurt my daughter this easily." She complained sighing.

"Even you don't know, Aunty?" I asked frowning and she shook her head.

"There must be a reason if Uncle is actually talking to him, Aunty. Don't worry about it." I mumbled and she nodded smiling but frowned at the study room door.

I returned to my room after dinner but then walked back to the living room to deal with this matter and so as I waited in the living room and finally, Satvik stepped out of the study room holding a folder.

He smiled walking towards me when he found my presence before saying, "Want to thank me for my plan?"

"What are you planning with Uncle?" I asked and he smiled but didn't reply.

"Come on! I am your adopted sister, right? Is there any problem which you are hiding from everyone?" I asked frowning and he sighed sitting beside me.

"It's not that much of a problem at present but we are working to make sure it will not become one again in the future." I got more confused with his words.

"I mean, do you know about the person who hurt Anusha? He didn't get proper punishment as his Dad is trying everything to get him released from all kinds of cases. So, I talked to Uncle and told him everything while showing proof and we both are now working together to get that person's father into trouble. As if the father doesn't have the power then even the son will not have any and will stay in the prison." He explained and I stared at him in surprise.

"Why didn't you involve Ansh in this?" I asked frowning.

"Uncle said it is better not to as it will pressure Ansh. Even I thought it is better to deal it with just the two of us. You can tell him if you want to." He offered but I shook my head.

"Ansh will really get worked up if he finds out now without the solution. He is already getting tired every day with all the work he is managing." I mumbled and he nodded smiling before getting up to walk off.

"Is this all true?" I got startled hearing her voice and turned to find her standing at the side door which is closer to the garden.

"Aunty! What are you... what are you doing here?" I asked looking at her but she continued to frown at me.

"I thought of noting down the area which should be checked by you but then I heard him... is it all true? Laksh hurt my daughter?" I nodded without hiding it.

"How... why didn't anyone tell me?" she asked while staggering towards the couch and I immediately helped her to sit down.

She let the tears out while I consoled her in silence for a few minutes before telling her everything that happened as she has a right to know.

Recently when she talked about getting Anusha together with Laksh I got worried and even wished to tell her the truth but as Anusha stayed silent, I didn't step in.

"Oh God! And I was continuously talking to her about him? Why didn't anyone tell me? She must be hating me, right?" she asked looking at me.

I felt lost in this situation as I am really not that good at consoling anyone. However, I stared at her with a serious look.

"How could she hate you, Aunty? Don't even think like that as she could never think both of you that way." I stated and she stared at me for a second before nodding.

"Thank you!" she whispered and finally controlled her emotions.

"I will go to my room and you too rest early." Saying that she stood up.

"I am waiting for Ansh, Aunty. You just take resting without thinking about it and just be there for Anusha." I adviced and she nodded before walking away while I sighed leaning back.

After some time he finally returned with a tired look but smiled when he found me waiting for him. I walked towards him and took the bag from his hands.

"Why don't you go and freshen up? I will bring dinner to your room." I offered but he shook his head.

"No! You must be tired of waiting for me like this. I will have food now only before going to my room." I smiled at that but followed him to the dining area.

"Why there is a sudden workload?" I asked as calmly had his dinner and he paused at that question.

"I am working on something other than office work." He replied but didn't explain and I didn't ask more as he would have said it if he wants to.

****

"Uncle! He got caught!" Aunty and I got startled along with Uncle when we heard Satvik's words while he climbed down the stairs in a rush.

"Really?" Uncle asked standing up and Satvik nodded while reaching him with his phone and passed it to him.

Uncle talked to someone on the phone before cutting it off saying, "He got caught and even his Dad because of his frauds in the business."

I got startled the next moment as Aunty suddenly hugged me but I got over the shock and hugged her back as it is really good news for everyone.

When she let me go, we both suddenly heard footsteps and turned to find Ansh walking towards us with a serious expression and even found Anusha following him with a calm pace.

Did they hear everything and are right now mad at all of us? Now, what should I do to get him to calm down? I thought frowning but his next words shocked all of us.

"We need to get married today, Kirthi. Now that we are expecting a baby, we should do it." His words shocked me to the core while Anusha is trying to not laugh.

We are expecting a baby? When? I mean how? I mean why didn't I know about that matter? I thought continued to stare at him.

"What?" everyone said hearing his words.

"You are pregnant?" His Mom asked looking at me before hitting his shoulder.

"How dare you to disrespect her in this house? I asked you to stay away from doing anything stupid, right?" she asked and this time I got even more shocked but Ansh joined me this time.

"I am not pregnant, Aunty." I assured her before glaring at him for saying those words.

What is he thinking? What if they get against this relationship even more than in the past? I shook my head at his stupid idea.

"You can call me Mom." He coughed hearing those words while I stared at her feeling shocked again.

I never thought there will be a day where I get shocked like this without a gap between the moments at all.

"Mom?" Both the siblings said at the same time.

"Kirthi is going to be my daughter-in-law." Aunty replied and Ansh immediately hugged her while thanking her.

"Somehow that person helped me to see the reality and I know I was being bad." She said looking at Satvik and she seems to know all his plans and was not actually blind towards them.

I smiled thinking maybe this will get their acceptance and now Anusha should just think about her own feelings in this matter instead of worrying about her parents.

"We have some good news too." Uncle said walking towards us smiling along with Satvik..

"What?" Ansh asked him frowning.

"Laksh is destroyed completely along with his father. We now own all their business. How dare he hurt my daughter?" Uncle said and both Ansh and Anusha stared at him in shock.

"How... how... do you know about him?" Anusha asked.

"Satvik talked to me the day he came during the night and told me everything. These three months we were planning and now we finally achieved." Uncle replied.

"But I was trying to put him behind the bars forever and just now got the call he will be." Ansh mumbled.

And I realized this is what he was working with all the time recently. I sighed thinking maybe I have a chance to not let him get mad at me for hiding this matter.

"We know! That's why we took away all heir opportunities so that he will not come out of jail again using his father's influence." Satvik commented.

"Everyone knows about this?" Aunsha asked looking at us.

"This is all our fault." Aunty said and I can see she is feeling very bad.

"You didn't know, Mom." Anusha whispered, but she just shook her head.

"I made a pact with your Dad saying I will stay here until we finish this and he let me stay." Satvik mumbled and I turned to stare at him.

"Now, it's time for me to leave." He added and I immediately frowned at him.

"Stay for a few more days." Aunty asked but he shook his head.

"Don't leave so soon." I whispered reaching his side while he smiled at me.

"I am glad that they accepted you." Saying that he left to pack while I frowned at his back before glancing at Ansh and Anusha who stayed silent all this time.

"Do you want him to leave?" Ansh suddenly asked surprising me a bit.

"His family must be missing him, Bhai." Saying that she climbed the stairs while Ansh reached my side.

"I am glad you didn't want him to leave." I whispered holding his hand.

"Like you said they both have to deal with it and I will support whatever she decides." He mumbled tightening his hold on my hand.

Satvik rushed out of the house without pausing for a second after climbing down the stairs and no one said anything regarding that matter.

As Anusha didn't come for dinner, I took the plate and reached the room where Satvik is staying.

"Have some food, Anusha!" saying that I passed the plate while she stayed silent without moving at all.

"I love him, Kirthi!" she whispered when I moved to sit beside her.

"We all know!" I mumbled and she chuckled but her tears flowed down.

"But I am scared to..." I sighed reaching over to hug her while understanding her fears.

"It's okay! Take your time and reach him with honest feelings otherwise, if you reach with such fears, it will end up hurting both of you." I said and she nodded hugging me back.

"By the way congratulations for getting my parent's approval even though they should have approved the day they met you." She commented and I let her talk whatever she wish to as she seems to be trying to run away from this matter for now.

****

"How is she?" I walked into my room to find Ansh sitting on the bed with a worried expression.

"She is fine now and l asked her to stay back today instead of staying on her own." I replied and he nodded in relief.

"What are you doing here?" I asked folding my hands.

"Well, we can stay together now as we got my Mom's approval." He replied shrugging.

"Go back! Aunty didn't say we could stay in the same room and they may wish to talk to you today because of today's incident." But he shook his head before frowning at me.

"Now, why don't you tell me the reason behind hiding this matter instead of throwing me out of the room?" He asked folding his arms.

I smiled walking towards the bed and sat down beside him calmly which surprised him but he cleared his throat to stay stubborn.

"Then why don't you tell me the reason behind hiding the matter of you being busy all this busy to pursue that person's matter?" I asked back staring at him and he sighed letting go of his stubborn expression.

"I didn't want to worry you." He replied and I shrugged while repeating his words after which he moved to circle my waist and pulled me closer.

"When do you want to get married?" I suddenly asked and he definitely got shocked after hearing those words.

"What? Don't want to marry me anymore?" I asked frowning and he shook his head and then nodded his head and immediately stopped.

"You are okay with it?" he asked to which I shrugged.

"All my worries are cleared and in no way do we act like some unmarried couple. So, let's just get married whenever you want to." I replied and he laughed hugging me tightly.

"I want to get married tomorrow itself but... it is better to wait for some time until everything gets settled at home from Anusha's matter to Mom's guilt and all." He mumbled and I nodded accepting that.

"That will be better but I want to move back to my place tomorrow." I mumbled and he immediately froze.

"Why?" He asked with a confused expression after letting me go from his hold.

"It is better if you four have a family bonding for a few days to overcome whatever that happened in the past." I explained and he shook his head.

"You are also a part of this family." He pointed out and I leaned over to kiss him.

"No matter what it is better if I go back to my place and anyway we will get married soon and you can also stay with me at my place." I pointed back and he continued to stay silent.

After a few minutes, he nodded accepting it but then asked, "You mean we are going to stay at your place after marriage?"

"Why? You don't want to stay at my place? I thought you like my place." I commented smiling at him.

"Of course! I will sell my flat soon then so that we can go on honeymoon." He mumbled while I raised my eyebrow.

"Why to go for one? We can just stay at my place without going for one." I offered as we never seem to like going to any place and always have dates inside my home.

"Don't say such things, Kirthi! You don't know how much I planned for our marriage and honeymoon." He shook his head at me while I laughed at his expression.

"Why don't you tell me? But still, I think my plan is better with no need to waste time in traveling and, what if I get called to the hospital suddenly." I pointed out.

"That is the first reason why we need to go for one otherwise you may even try to go to the hospital if they call you on the wedding day itself." He stated and I laughed more at his weird words.

"Don't be silly! Why would I do that?" I asked shaking my head.

"I can expect anything from you, Kirthi. I learned my lesson way back and will never mistake myself thinking I know everything about you as I feel you will surprise me for the many years to come." He mumbled and I smiled caressing his face.

"Even you do the same to be and so don't complain." I whispered leaning over to kiss him and he kissed back by pushing me on the bed and this time I ignored the fact that his family may find out that we are in the same room as I didn't lock my room this time.

I love him more than I thought I could and he is the only one who makes me walk away from the line I draw for myself.

I smiled into his kiss and pulled him closer while ignoring everything around us along with every worry and just fell for him harder.