Twinkle returned to their room after the heated conversation with Kunj.She urged herself to think and understand from his prospective.She knew that no man would be able to deal with such a betrayal from his wife but it was the harsh reality that he needed to accept.

Staying with him for the last eleven months,she understood him better than anyone else.He wasn't an unkind and stone hearted person as he was trying to show himself lately.She was certain that whatever words came out of Kunj's mouth,were not from his heart. His previous behaviour was a mere outcome of his broken and shattered state of mind.He was depressed with the fact that his beloved wife had cheated on his and he needed time to nurse his own wounds.

Even though he tried to but he would never be able to hate Ansh,she knew it deep down within her heart.She had witnessed his unconditional love for him many times. Whatsoever may be the reason,he would never be able to hate Ansh nor would his love suddenly disappear into thin air.

It was late afternoon when she walked into Ansh's room.She stopped on her tracks seeing Kunj sitting on the bed with Ansh in his tight embrace.She didn't expect him to be present there but her frail heart warmed instantly and felt like a hundred flowers blooming within.

Kunj felt her presence behind him and turned back.His composure was rigid but his emotions were crystal clear in his eyes.She could see how miserable he was feeling for treating Ansh so badly.Her hands desperately itched to wipe that guilt off his face and tell him that it was okay, but she hesitated to go near him.

He stretched his hand in front of her to take it. As much as she wanted to show anger towards him,she was incapable of expressing anger on Kunj.Slowly but steadily she went near him.He grabbed her wrist and gently pulled her down to sit beside him.She watched as Ansh was sound asleep in his arms.

She kept her eye level down and combed back Ansh's short bangs that was falling on to his forehead.They both were quiet for a while.
Kunj was studying all her moves silently.It hurt him when she didn't bother to look at him and continued to caress Ansh's hair but he knew, if someone was to be blamed for her reactions,it was no one but himself.He decided to end the deafening silence.

K-Twinkle,I swear I didn't mean any of those words which I spoke earlier...
He grasped her palm and gently press, urging her to look up. When she raised her eyes,she saw so much regret in his eyes.
"Everything around me is so messed up that I couldn't think straight.I couldn't take Tara's betrayal lightly and felt like an idiot for believing her so blinding.But I know that isn't enough reason for behaving rudely with you and Ansh.I am sorry for that and a hell lot of things."(the night when he was drunk)
His face fell down and she knew what exactly he meant by that.
"Will you please forgive me, Twinkle."

She had already forgiven him in her mind the moment she saw him hugging Ansh.She knew that she had managed to pull him out of dark pit of despair that he was in.She was just glad that he was back to his senses and his true self.She didn't speak anything but forgive him with a slight nod of her head.

He huffed in relief but he understood that he had hurt then both greatly and an apology wasn't enough to mend Ansh and Twinkle's heart. He brought her hand against his closed eye and felt the warmth that radiated from it. Then he slowly brought her hand to his lips and kissed the back of her hand softly.

He touched her cheek and his gaze on her intensified the black colour of orbs turning into a shade darker. All the previous frustration had melted away from his eyes and he could think more clearly. He looked at Twinkle with soft and tender eyes, exhibiting his love and affection for Twinkle.He wondered how such a pure and gentle soul could exist amidst this cruel world and more importantly, how she ended up with him.

She never fail to amaze him with her kind and gentle heary. She was so precious and all that he desired at that moment was to protect her and make her happy. His love for Twinkle had grown tenfold in the course of time, which he didn't know how made up his mind that he would tell her how much he loved her soon, maybe when all this got over. He wanted to make it special and memorable for both of them.

K-Thank you for not letting things get out of control and making me realise my mistakes, Twinkle.

Though Twinkle's eyes were blank of any emotions ,a thousand questions were running rapidly in her head.The first and foremost of them was, if Kunj would still fight for Ansh's guardianship.She didn't need his apologies and gratitude. All she wanted from him was his assurance that he would fight for Ansh.

T-"Kunj". She placed her palm over his hand on her cheek. "Please don't give up on Ansh's custody battle."

He pulled her closer and joined their foreheads together, all the while his eyes kept staring at her with so much intensity. He didn't utter a single word, which only added fret and panic. Gazing into her divine eyes, he felt his hurt fluttter rapidly.

T(begging)- Please say something, Kunj.

At that moment he couldn't help but fall for her deeper than he already did. When she was about to open her mouth to say something he leapt forward and captured her lips in a pleasant kiss.When he pulled back her cheeks were flaring red.
She heard him inhale sharply.

K- By hating Ansh, I would only hurt myself, Twinkle. I would never be able to give up on him. I wouldn't deny that it would be hard for me to forget everything but I will try to face the reality instead of running away from it.He isn't my blood neither yours but he will always remain OUR SON, Twinkle and I will never let anyone take him away from us.

A wet sob escaped her lips hearing his words. She took his face between her hand and smashed her lips against his.Kunj gave in and deepened the kiss as his arms went around her waist and brought her closer, removing the distance between them. He hugged her tightly and inhaled her sweet scent.He promised himself that he would never hurt this angel,his angel ever again.

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Next Monday, Kunj and Twinkle went to the lawyer's office to discuss about the case.Vishal had offered to go with them.

S-Kunj, i don't want to give you false hope because by now,you should know that we have a very slim chance of winning the case.

T(desperately)-but all these years, Ansh has grown up thinking that we are his parents.How can the court be so cruel to separate the child from his parents?
Kunj held her hand , rubbing his thumb on it to ease her.

S-Twinkle, I can understand your feelings but unfortunately the law will definitely try to favour the birth parents since it believes no one can love and care for the child more than the biological parents.

K-And what if Ansh doesn't want to leave us?

S-We don't have any written documents or adoption agreements, Kunj and you cannot keep someone else's child without their consent, even if the child wants to stay with you.He leaned back into his chair."That's a big drawback for us in this case."

K(annoyingly)-How do they expect me to have an adoption agreement when Ansh wasn't adopted at all? God, how am I supposed to explain my situation? He muttered to himself.

S-I'm sorry Kunj but the court will not accept your reasons if the biological father wants to have his son back, especially when the child's maternal Aunt it's supporting him.

K-Well, then where was he all this time? Where was he when Ansh was born? And why didn't Tara not think of informing Abhishek about the child when she found out that he is the father?Kunj bemused.
She definitely wasn't in need for my money for blaming the pregnancy on me .There must be some other reason for Tara to not inform Abhishek about Ansh's existence.

V-I agree with Kunj.We don't know what kind of person this Abhishek is. How can we hand over Ansh to someone we barely know? Just because he is the birth father doesn't mean the child would live a better life with him. Ansh had lived under Kunj and Twinkle's care all his life.He would definitely not want to go to Abhishek.I hope there is still a chance for us in this case.So,i would ask you two to not lose your hope, Kunj and Twinkle.

Kunj nodded, staring at him vaguely.
They left the office after 2 hours of planning about what they had to say in the court during the trial.

Twinkle silently walked behind Kunj to the parking lot. Kunj was about to start the engine, when he felt Twinkle's soft touch on his arm. He turned and noticed the tears that were brimming at her eyes.

T-Kunj,are we going to lose Ansh? Her lips were trembling and it almost killed him to see Twinkle like that.

K-Hey,no...He unbuckled the seatbelt and leaned forward to hug her.
Didn't you hear what Vishal said?The court may consider our case and there is a chance that we will still get Ansh's full custody.He kissed her forehead. I'm sure we are going to win this case, Twinkle.
Though he was uncertain about it himself, he wanted to convince Twinkle into believing it just for the peace of her mind.

T-but what if we don't,Kunj...she fisted his shirt tightly into her palms and buried her face into his chest as she wept silently.

K-Twinkle, nothing is going to happen, okay? I want you to think positively and not to lose hope, please. He held her face and pleaded looking into her eyes.

She nodded with her tears rolling down her cheeks. He wiped them using the pad of his thumb.
K-Stop crying Twinkle please...

All this was too much to take for Twinkle. The mere thought of losing Ansh sent her heart into an overdrive. How much she had desired to be Ansh's mother and wanted to love him like her own. The very reason why Twinkle married Kunj was to be a good and caring mother for Ansh. This marriage would mean nothing without him. Fresh tears kept spilling from her eyes, how much ever effort Kunj put in wiping them away.

K-Please Twinkle,stop crying now.I know it hurts we need to be strong for each other,jaan. His shoulders sagged and his eyes were almost as teary as hers.

She took in a sharp breath as she shut her eyes to stop the tears from flowing any further.Kunj was right, they had to be strong for each other.

T- I'm sorry.She mumbled wiping her tears.Her hands gently stroked his cheeks as she stared into his eyes.
"I'm very scared,Kunj."

K- I'm scared too, Twinkle...but no matter what,we have to face it. We haven't done wrong to anyone and I hope God helps us get through this hell.

Twinkle agreed, nodding her head slowly.He was already in state of misery and she didn't want to add to his worries by crying in front of him.
She brought her lips to his and kissed him,a soft and saintly kiss in an attempt to comfort him.He melted into her delicate touch and answered her kiss.

When she pulled away,she smiled at him weakly with pain filled eyes.
T-You are right. We will get through this... She rested her forehead against his.

Ansh was left in Avantika and Amaira's care while they were gone.
When they returned home, they saw him playing with his baby cousin.

A-Mumma,look baby holding my finger.Ansh enthusiastically signaled at Twinkle to come near him.
All the tears that she had tried to control within her were threatening to roll down her eyes again after hearing him call her 'Mumma'.
She tried to conceal her sadness and forced a smile at him.

T-Wow...I think Anaya likes you a lot.
She said going closer to both of them.
Kunj also went near them, hearing the baby's giggles.
When his parents were too engrossed looking at the baby,Ansh pulled them down to his level.

A-When my baby come,dada?
He asked in a low whisper as if he didn't want his bua and dadi to hear him.

Kunj let out a loud laugh, causing Twinkle's cheeks to flood with red.
K-Do you want to answer him,jaan?
He threw his arm over her shoulder and whispered into her ears which managed to send a sweet shiver down to her core.

She jerked away his arm playfully before carrying Ansh in her arms and walking away.
T-Did you eat anything,baby? Are you feeling hungry?
She asked him to divert his mind from that question.

He nodded and pointed at the jar of chocolate cookies that his mumma had made for him.She let him sit on the counter and handed him the cookies.He started munching on it while telling her everything that he did with his cousin.

Am-What did the lawyer say, bhaiya?
She asked even though she had an idea about what must have been discussed there.

K-That we have fifty fifty chance on this case. If we are lucky enough we will get Ansh's custody.He said leaning back into the couch near his sister and stretching his legs.

Am- Don't worry. Everything will turn out as the way you want it, bhaiya.
She patted on his shoulder gently.

He nodded as his eyes shifted to Twinkle and Ansh.They looked so happy with each other. The only fear which seemed greater than losing Ansh was,how Twinkle would cope if her baby boy was taken away from her .He swallowed hard as he felt a lump at his throat thinking of the various consequences.She wasn't his birth mother however,she was nothing less than one.
She had done almost everything to Ansh that his own mother would have done and losing him would completely break her fragile heart.

That's it for today guys.

Hope you liked it.