Twinkle didn't know how five days had passed so soon in Nanital.
She had her life's best time there with Kunj and Ansh .Staying with Kunj in the heavenly place,made her experience the true essence of being a married woman.The trip was nothing less than a honeymoon that she had ever dreamt for.

They spent most of their evenings near the lake, talking and playing with Ansh.And in the mornings,he took them to visit snow view, tiffin top,zoo and other famous places there. Her favourite out of all was walking the empty street of Nanital , holding Kunj's hand and kissing him like a love-stuck teenager.

In the evenings, they enjoyed candlelight dinners arranged by Nina and other maids in the villa. After putting Ansh to sleep, they would relax on one or other loungers on their deck, facing a millions of stars that illuminated the night sky.

The night before they had to return from Nanital, Kunj was lying on a lounger with a blanket covering his legs. Twinkle had just put Ansh to sleep when she walked into his arms.
Her heart was going erratic whenever the thought of them going back to Amritsar crossed her mind.

K- Is Ansh asleep?
Kunj asked making some space for Twinkle before tucking her into his arms and pulling the blanket over her body.

Hmmm, she nodded silently .Kunj didn't have to wonder the reason for her silence because he knew what exactly was bothering her.He hasn't seen her smile even once from the morning and he knew why. They both kept staring into space, feeling warm and comfortable in each other's arms.

'Kunj', she raised her head from his shoulder after a long silence.

K-Yes baby? He looked down at her.
Her eyes were like an ocean of thoughts and questions.

T-Shall we not go back and spend the rest of our lives here?
If they weren't in such a miserable condition ,Kunj would have laughed at her childishness but her question only managed to punch a hole in his heart.What would he not sacrifice to stay away from the place which they called home?He was ready to give up everything that he had back there, so that they could live a happy and peaceful life together. As much as he wanted it, he knew that it was nowhere near possible.

He sighed heavily and ranked his fingers through his hairs.
K-Twinkle, you know that's not possible,love.... You have your studies to complete and I have my business to run. Moreover we can't run away from the law. We will have to face it, Twinkle instead of running away from it . We need to prove to the world that Ansh belongs to us.

No matter how sensible he sounded, Twinkle couldn't bring herself to agree with him. Nothing mattered to her more than keeping Ansh with her, not her friends, not her family and not even her studies.
How much she tried,she couldn't stop her tears from flowing . She dipped her face into the crook of his neck and let out the tears of sorrow from her eyes. This time Kunj didn't stop her. She had to let out her fear and grieve, so that she could move forward. He kept petting her hair until he heard completely stopped crying.

K- I know how difficult it's going to be for us , Twinkle but didn't we agree on facing it together? He placed his finger under her chin to make her look at him.' We have no other option left but let's not lose hope.

She nodded and her tears started flowing again.

K-Now stop crying, Jaan. He pulled her back into the house. After putting her to bed ,he felt like having a drink, a strong one. When he was sure that she was asleep,he poured a drink for him and went back to the lounger. He didn't know how long he sat there drinking .

The whole situation was totally unbelievable. All the turn of events in the past two months was hard to take in for any human being. All this could have been easier if Tara had tried talking to him. Of course,he might had been mad at her even would have gone to extent of divorcing her but atleast no one did have to go through this hell, especially Twinkle and Ansh,
who did nothing wrong in this matter.

He hasn't told Twinkle that Natasha had filed a complaint against them accusing of physically abusing Ansh.
He was certain that she would freak out and decided to keep it from her until they reached Amritsar, just for the sake of her sanity.

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They were back to Amritsar the next evening. His family tried being normal with them, asking them about their trip and their stay at Nanital.

Only after dinner,they began the topic of the first hearing.

T-She did what?
Twinkle shrieked out the way Kunj expected. ' How could you not tell me this ,Kunj?

K- Twinkle, I didn't want to trouble you than you already are. I knew you would react this way and hence I waited till we reached home.

T-How can she be so cruel? She combed her hair with her fingers.
Now we will never be able to win the custody battle. Her face fell into her palms.

A- Bhabhi, don't give up soon. Amaira chided her slightly. 'That bitch doesn't have any proof to her claims and people who support her, except for her parents and that guy Abhishek . You two have us, yours friends and other people who personally know how caring you are with Ansh.'
She patted the back of her palm to cheer her up.

Av- Twinkle beta, Amaira is right... We have people who will back us up.
Avantika joined in with her daughter in assuring Twinkle.

Twinkle shifted beside Kunj on their large bed and her thoughts kept going back to the conversation they had after dinner. Her hopeless heart still believed that they had some hope in this case. She closed her eyes and prayed silently. She didn't want to lose Ansh in any circumstance. She was cent percent sure that he wouldn't be happy away from her and Kunj. According to him, they were his parents and going away from them would only ruin his mental health.

A child's mind is simple and honest. She hoped that court would take his words seriously before considering the case.

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The next morning, Twinkle yawned and the first thing that came across her mind was the trial that they had that afternoon. Glancing at side, she noticed Kunj beginning to wake up slowly.

T- Good morning. She tried to pretend cheery with him

K- Good morning, sweetheart. Why are you up so early?

T- I'm hungry. She replied as she begin to get up on to her feet but suddenly her hands went up to touch her forehead as she felt dizzy. She had to hold on to headboard for support amd slowly sit back..

K- What's wrong, baby? Kunj crawled on the bed towards her.

T- I don't know. I felt a little dizzy. I guess I didn't get enough sleep last night.

K-You are not taking care of yourself, Twinkle. He made her lie down on the bed again before lying next to her.
' It's still early and you should sleep for some more time.'

She smiled at him before closing her eyes.

When she woke up,Kunj had a towel wrapped around his waist. His hair was wet, indicating that he just walked out of the shower.

Twinkle got up feeling much better this time. She glanced at the wall clock and it was nine thirty.
T-Oh my God! We are late,why didn't you wake me up?

K- We aren't late, jaan. We still have two hours. So take your time,he bend down to kiss her softly.

She began to panic and had quickest shower of her life. When she walked out, Ansh was having his glass of milk.

T- Good morning my sweetiepie. She kissed his forehead.

She grabbed an apple and threw it in her bag.
T- Shall we go? She asked Kunj who looked ready to leave.

K- Uh..huh.. No.. No.. We are not leaving without you having your breakfast first. He pushed her on to a seat.

T- But I have an apple and I will eat it on the way. She whined as she tried to get up.

K- She almost fainted this morning mom and now she wants to skip her breakfast.
He complaint to his mom who was seated next to Twinkle.

A- Twinkle beta , you should be taking care of your health. Come on eat now.
She fed her poha with her own hands.

Twinkle huffed in submission and had it which gave was giving her stomach a weird sensation.

T- Shall we go, now? She raised a brow at Kunj.
He nodded with a smile not before checking onto her empty plate.

T( pouting )-You know, you are treating me like a baby. I'm a doctor for god's sake.
She threw her hands up in the air too dramatically.

He chuckled as they kissed Ansh and bid their farewell to Avantika and Amaira before walking out of the house.

Twinkle was quiet as she kept looking out of window. Kunj too felt extremely edgy as he drove to the court, repeating what he had to say over and over again in his head.

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S- There you are, let's go inside.
Sahil rushed them into the court hall.

Twinkle once again felt all her blood rush to her head as they entered the court room. She was beginning to feel sick again. She had never thought that there would be a day in her life where she would had to come here. This was all just too much for her. She only wanted to get over with this trial and go back home.

As they took a seat, Kunj's eyes travelled to where Natasha and Abhishek were seated. Natasha had an evil glint in her eyes and Abhishek was smirking cruelly beside her.

He tried to ingore them when he felt Twinkle touching his hand gently. Her hands felt cold and shaky. She was holding onto him for support.

K- Stay calm , everything will be okay.
He assured her in a low whisper near her ear before they all stood up as the judge entered the room.

J- Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen! Are both the parties ready
He asked taking his seat.

C- Yes your honour, the clerk submitted him the papers.

The attorneys from both sides presented their reports to the jury. Natasha's lawyer,Vijay stood up and walked in front of the jury.

V- Your Honor, my client Ms.Natasha is here to claim the full custody of her nephew, Ansh who is under the care of Mr. Kunj Sarna. Natasha's sister Tara was Kunj's first wife who passed away two years ago in an accident.
He married Ms. Twinkle last year,a medical student and they both recently found out that Ansh isn't Kunj's biological son.

My client is sure that the child is physically abused and beaten by Twinkle and Twinkle after finding about his true identity and she wants to take Ansh's full guardianship, your Honor.

Kunj gritted jis teeth at Natasha for accusing them so heartlessly. Twinkle's hand tightened around Kunj's palm when she heard that.Her stomach was turning into knots after hearing the accusations against them.

Sahil got up from his seat.
S- Your Honor, it's true that my client, Kunj recently found that Ansh's isn't his biological son but he and his wife Twinkle have never abused the child.
In fact, they are very loving parents to Ansh. You will hear no real evidence against my clients. I would like to call upon Ms. Natasha to ask her a few questions.

J- Permission granted.

Natasha huffed and walked to the witness stand keeping her chin high.

The clerk walked in front of her.
C- Raise your right hand. Do you promise that the testimony you shall give in the case before the court shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing else but the truth?

N- I do.

S- So Ms. Natasha.... When did you found out that Ansh isn't Kunj's biological son?

N- A few months after his birth. She lied.
Kunj's pulse rate began to shoot up.

So means that Tara hadn't kept it a secret from Natasha.Then, why did Natasha keep quiet all these years?
He wondered.

S(emphasizing)- Can you be more specific about the dates?

N- I'm sorry,I don't remember the dates but it was definitely after a month of Ansh's birth.

S-Alright, how did you came to know about it?

N-Tara told me once when I went to visit my nephew.

S-What did she tell you exactly?

N- That Ansh was Abhishek's child... and not Kunj's...

S-I see... Why did she have to take the paternity test? Did she tell anything about that?

N-hmm she stumbled visibly .She had a doubt and she wanted to clear it.

S-Okay, what else did she tell you?
Sahil kept throwing questions at her.

N-She told me that she wanted to go back to Abhishek and she wasn't happy with Kunj.
Her eyes travelled to Kunj for a split second before she turned her gaze back to Sahil.

Kunj felt his heart being torn into million pieces. All this time, Kunj believed she was happy with him. He tried his best to make her happy. How could he not saw that she wasn't happy being with him? What did he not do to keep her fulfilled? Was it because he always remained busy at work and missed to know that Tara was upset with him?

Twinkle squeezed his palm comfortingly. She was certain that Natasha's words were an absolute lie.
Even though he didn't love her,he always made her feel special and wanted.Then how could he not make Tara happy who was so dear to him?

S-Ms. Natasha but I don't get this straight. Why did Tara keep it a secret from Abhishek until her death?

N- The last time we met at the night club,she told me that she was ready to tell Abhishek about his child. She was very happy to go back to Abhishek,
her one true love but unfortunately that night she passed away... She cried as she recalled that horrifying night.

Vijay got up from his seat furiously
V- Your Honor, my client is very sensitive when it comes to her sister's death. I request not to ask her too many questions about Tara.

S- Sorry Ms. Natasha. He apologized coolly. Can you tell me why your had to wait for so long to tell Kunj about this?

She blinked,she wasn't prepared for this question at all.
N-I didn't have the courage to tell Kunj but couldn't handle seeing my nephew treated badly by his step mother. So I finally gathered all my will to tell him the truth and get away Ansh from them.

S- Oh.. have you seen Ms. Twinkle abusing Ansh?

N- More than once .
Twinkle's face scowled with Natasha's answer. How low can she go? Twinkle thought.

N- Recently Ansh was admitted to a hospital with a broken arm...She continued. It was because of Twinkle's carelessness. She is career obsessed woman and Ansh is a hindrance to her goals.

Kunj wanted to yell at her but he knew je had to be calm and wait for his chance to speak.

S- Are you talking about the accident which Kunj and Ansh recently met with?

N- Yes

S- If I am not wrong, Twinkle wasn't with them. Then how can you blame her?

N-She was on a week's long camp. She could have stopped it if she hadn't gone there and had been with them instead. She argued. As I said, she only cares about her interests and not about Ansh.

S- It was medical camp Ms. Natasha. She wasn't on a fun camp as you describe it. He remarked before turning to the judge.
' That's all your Honor '. He walked away with that.

J- Ms. Natasha,you can go back to your seat. He ordered softly. Does the prosecution have any questions?

V- Yes, your Honor. I would like your permission to call upon Mr. Kunj Sarna.

Kunj walked to the stand and shoved his hands into his pant pockets.

C - Raise your hand. Do you promise that the testimony you shall give in the case before the court shall be truth,the whole truth and nothing but the truth?

K- I do.

V- Kunj, when did you marry Ms. Twinkle? Vijay began his round of questions at Kunj.

K- A year ago. His face was void of any emotions.

V - How does she treat Ansh? I mean she is his step mother. Has she ever been unfair with the child?

Kunj glared hard at him. If it wasn't a fucking court, he would have punched hard on his face until he bled.

K- She had never treated Ansh like her step son. She loved him like her own. I don't know if you people will be able to believe this but she was a better mother to Ansh than Tara ever was to him.

Twinkle couldn't believe what Kunj was saying. Her heart warmed immediately.

V- Do you mean Tara wasn't good to Ansh?

K- I don't mean that but I can't deny the fact that Ansh was never her first priority.

"NO", Natasha's voice boomed within the hall.
N-He is unnecessarily accusing my sister. He is just too much enchanted with his new wife for talking that shit..

J - Ms.Natasha,keep in mind you are inside the court... Speak only when you are given a chance...
The judge warned her and made her sit back silently.

V- Okay... When did you find about Ansh not being your son?

K- About a month back, when Natasha sent me the paternity reports.

V- So you had absolutely no doubt that Ansh isn't yours?

Kunj sighed and looked down
K-No

V- Why do you think that Tara keep it a secret from you?

K( shrugged)- How do I know? I'm not Tara.

V- That's all your Honor.
Vijay went back on his seat while Sahil walked in front of Kunj.

S-Kunj, do you think Tara would have wanted Abhishek to take care of Ansh when he is unemployed and running short of money?

K(proudly)- I doubt that... Abhishek would ever be able to provide Ansh the life he has now.

S- Has Tara ever tried to tell you about Ansh not being your son?

K- Never.

S-Your Honor,we doubt Tara would have ever wanted Ansh to grow up with Abhishek when he even doesn't have a stable income and a decent house to live in. As a matter of fact, little Ansh is very happy with his parents, Twinkle and Kunj. It would ruin the child's lufe if he would taken away from them.

The jury kept writing his notes before he finally looked up at the people in front of him.

J- Ladies and Gentlemen,I would want the child care service to have a look
at the child's mental and physical condition. The reports must be submitted during the next trial. He got up from his seat. 'The court will be adjourned until August three. The jury is thanked and excused."
The judge walked out of the court room.

Twinkle looked up at Kunj with teary eyes before he guided her out of the court room.

That's it for today

Hope you liked it.