Third person's pov!

"You are what?" Sid's disbelief rang out through his words, as he stared at Dhruv and Shraddha. Diya was silently standing there and watching in increasing horror.

When she asked her brother to get Shraddha out of this house, not even in her wildest dreams did she imagine that he would do that by marrying her. What was running through bhai's head? How can he marry her knowing everything? Her heart pounded in her chest. What if bhai is going to torture the girl? What if he hurts her physically. Diya felt panic rise in her. She only wanted Shraddha out of her life. She didn't want to hurt the girl in any way. And she knows her brother well. He was raised by Ambar Khuranna, for whom even killing people for own benefit is not a big deal. And Dhruv had grown up under the influence of Ambar Khuranna and he had grown to believe the same.

"We are getting married today, Sid. I have made arrangements in a nearby temple. The pandit will arrange everything by evening. I want you both to attend the marriage." Dhruv said in a calm tone.

"Bhai, can I speak to you for a moment please?" Diya asked, her eyes not hiding her panic.

"Just a moment please." Dhruv excused himself from Sid and Shraddha and walked into the guest bedroom where he was staying all these days. As the door closed, Diya looked at her brother in growing apprehension.

"Why are you doing this bhai?" Diya asked, almost crying.

"What?"

"I only asked her to get her out of my life. What are you going to do with her?" Diya asked, scared out of her wits.

"I am going to marry her." Dhruv said, taking a deep breath.

"You are not going to hurt her, are you?" Diya asked in a scared whisper.

Dhruv was shocked hearing that. But then he can't blame Diya for asking that. After all, he was Ambar Khuranna's grandson.

"Don't hurt her bhai." Diya cried, mistaking her brother's silence.

"I am not going to hurt her, Diya. I love her a lot. And I think the whole affair fiasco was a misunderstanding. I have been watching them since I arrived here and I found nothing that suggests an affair." Dhruv said and Diya looked at him expectantly.

"You think so?" Diya asked, hope and relief ringing in her words.

Dhruv didn't want to point out that he found Sid's actions suspicious and not Shraddha's. As it is, Diya is determined to live with Sid, even if he betrayed her. In that case, it is better that she lives happily rather than in depression.

"Yes. I think they are good friends. And Shraddha, she is an orphan. She doesn't have a family of her own. And I believe, Shraddha and I can make a happy family of our own." Dhruv said and Diya smiled through her tears.

"If you are sure, I believe you bhai." Diya said and hugged Dhruv happily.

In the living room, Shraddha was worried how Sid would take this. She didn't want to leave the family in lurch and marry Dhruv when Sid and Diya are going through some rough phase of life. But life was giving her a chance and she didn't want to let it slip through her fingers.

"Are you sure, Shraddha?" Sid asked, still trying to come to terms with the facts. When Dhruv told him the same, he hadn't expected it to happen so quickly. Having Shraddha here was a strength for him. Once Dhruv left, he wanted to start with Diya's treatment. And he could have peacefully left Ansh with Shraddha. But now...

"I am.." Shraddha said softly.

"Do you know everything about Dhruv?" Sid asked worriedly. He wanted Shraddha to know what she is getting into. Over the last two months, he has started to see her as a little sister.

"We are getting to know each other. Like Dhruv said, that's how arranged marriages work, isn't it?" Shraddha asked with a soft smile.

"It is. But you should know about Dhruv's past, before tying the knot Shraddha." Sid said, wondering if Shraddha knows about Dhruv's playboy lifestyle.

"I know. Dhruv told me about it all. The dark phase of his life. But it is all behind us now. The past doesn't matter, Siddhant ji. What he is today and what he will be tomorrow. Only that matters to me." Shraddha said, thinking Sid was talking about Dhruv's drug addiction.

"I should be happy for you then." Sid said with a smile, though he was worried how he would manage without Shraddha. Maybe he will have to hire a new nanny. But someone as trustworthy as Shraddha.. Sid sighed, realising that it is not fair to depend on Shraddha. She shouldn't feel guilty for prioritising her life. If he tells her his worry, she might feel guilty for leaving.

"All the best, Shraddha. For your future." Sid said with a genuine smile this time.

"Thank you, Siddhant ji."

"Maybe you should talk to Dhruv about Diya Ma'am's condition." Shraddha said softly.

"No.." Sid said adamantly. He knows Dhruv well. He knows what Diya means to Dhruv. If he so much as gets a whiff of the misery Diya is going through, he will definitely take her away. And Sid couldn't imagine a life without Diya in it.

"You can't delay it anymore, Siddhant ji. You have to get Diya Ma'am professional help. I think Dhruv can help you out." Shraddha said and Sid shook his head in denial.

"No, Shraddha. Promise me that you won't say anything to Dhruv." Sid demanded.

"He is going to be my husband, Siddhant ji. How can I hide something like this from him?" Shraddha asked.

"Please, Shraddha. You still don't know Dhruv well. Promise me that you won't tell Dhruv anything. I will handle this. As soon as you guys leave, Mussoorrie, I will start Diya's treatment. I am making arrangements for the treatment in Kerala. The fund is almost ready. But never let Dhruv know this." Sid was practically begging and Shraddha could only nod, though reluctantly.

She felt guilty for leaving the Kothari family in a lurch and she felt guilty for hiding this from Dhruv.

A/N

Here goes the next shot..

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