HOW COULD I?

Silent. Quiet. Deserted.

Those were the words that come to mind when one see the house from outside. There was silence, pin drop silence. No loud noise could be heard in the building. Everyone were scattered in their respective rooms. Though the house seemed silent from the outside, the mental condition of the people that live in it was far from that. Everyone were having their own share of thought marathon, mostly were same, but there were some minds whose train of thoughts were running towards some far fetched stations. Their mind were thinking something that the others were miles from.

One of them was Pallavi Kohli. She was hell bent that Rhea was innocent and Prachi was the one who had asked Aarav for framing Rhea. She didn't know how wrong she was, and she had no intention of knowing it. Instead, she was trying her level best to make her husband and mother in law agree with her, to make them believe that what she was saying was true. She believed that if those two understood it, they would help her to keep Ranbir away from Prachi.

"Why don't you understand that Prachi is not the girl she pretends to be." Pallavi insisted her already irritated husband and MIL, who seemed to be in a trance, sitting on the bed, while Vikram was working and Pallavi was pacing to and fro.

"Pallavi, Why are you so insistent on proving Prachi wrong?" Vikram snapped, putting his laptop down, he had finally had enough. He had thought that maybe he can focus on work to take his mind off of that day's incident, But NO, his stubborn wife just had to do nothing but degrade the poor girl. "Haven't you seen the video? It was clearly shown that Rhea deliberately pushed Prachi into the pool."

"But the video could be tempered with." Pallavi tried.

"Seriously? And why would they temper with it? What good will they get?" Vikram challenged.

"I- I don't know. How would I know what is going in their mind?"

"Then don't be so sure of your thoughts and for one second, just one second, put your hatred for Prachi aside and look at what Rhea did, as a non biased person." Vikram suggested and Pallavi just sent a determined glare to him and left, not one word having an effect on her.

"When will she understand?" Vikram wondered, shaking his head dejectedly at his wife's thinking.

"Just hope that it isn't too late." Dida said nonchalantly, her eyes finally gaining some sence of her surrounding and she looked at her son. "Just hope that it won't be too late when we understand what is right." She gulped and left, leaving a frowning Vikram behind.

~*~

"How could I be so blind of my own deeds?"

While Pallavi was blaming Prachi for the things she isn't even aware of, someone was blaming himself after having faced a mirror. Abhishek Prem Mehra, the man who was the role model for many in the business world, was drowning in self loathing for yet another grave mistake he had made in his personal life. After the harsh reality, a boy half his age, had shown him regarding his behavior, his partial behavior, towards his own daughter, he was not even sure what he should feel. But still, the most profound feeling was guilt. Guilt of not being there for her, not in just last twenty years, but not being there when she was right in front of him.

He remembered how Pragya was blaming herself when she found out that Prachi wanted to leave. He had supported her saying that it wasn't her fault. But he so foolishly neglected the fact that while Pragya was busy with Rhea, why was he not with Prachi. Aarav was right. He should have been with Prachi, but he was not.

"It's not your fault, don't mind Aarav's words, I've told you that he is very protective of Prachi and Shahana, he just said it out of his protectiveness of her. You know, when he saw Prachi in that condition, he just spoke whatever came in his mind." Pragya consoled him, but he knew what the truth was.

"But what he said was the truth, and no one can deny it, not even you." Abhi said, taking Pragya's hand, that was resting on his arm, in his own.

"I have wronged Prachi in so many ways. He was right, maybe she is here just for your sake. I never even apologized to her properly. You did to Rhea, but I never apologized to Prachi for everything she had to go through because I was not there for her. I'm sorry Pragya, I'm sorry that I couldn't be a good father. I-" Abhi was cut when a soft knock was heard at the door.

Pragya quickly wiped her tears that had escaped witnessing her husband's broken state and made her way to the door. She stole a quick glance back and opened the door after checking that Abhi had calmed down. Even though everything happened in front of everyone, she could not risk Prachi seeing her father in tears. She will be curious for the reason and they can not afford telling her that her tripping accident was planned by he own sister.

Pragya opened the door with a blank face and nodded her head at the visitor to come in.

"You called me Aunty." Aarav asked in a stiff tone, his mood was still somewhat bitter after he had seen his best friend almost die in front of his eyes just because her parents couldn't control their other daughter.

"I did." Abhi spoke, mustering up some courage and cleaning his face of the remaining tears.

"You- you did, but why?" Pragya asked, thoroughly confused. glancing between a sober Abhi and a blank looking Aarav.

"Because it is high time I start rectifying my mistakes, I've done enough injustice to Prachi to last a lifetime. It's finally time to give her a father she deserves. And, I don't know anyone better than you, Aarav, who can help me to pick up the pieces of my family. My family that I myself had broken years ago, and left it shattered, it is now or never that I put everything together. I want me, Pragya, Prachi and Rhea to be a family. A complete family." Abhi pleaded, his voice heavy with the emotions he was feeling.

"Aunty you remember how religious Bauji was." Aarav looked at Pragya who nodded, not getting where that topic came from. "He was so religious, but still, Beeji never let him have the Prasad from the puja."

"Yes, because he was diabetic, but where did that came from?" Pragya voiced her minds question.

"Even though Beeji herself used to say that Prasad and Prayer could solve all odds, but still she still forbid Bauji to have Prasad because it was necessary for him to stay away from it. You see, what we think is good for one is not necessarily good. Uncle, I know you want your both daughters to be together, but if you believe me, from what I have observed in last some days, Rhea hates Prachi. She hate her so much that she tried to almost kill her in cold blood. 

I respect your feelings sir, but I value Prachi's happiness and feelings more. While you were not here, something happened that showed the differences that Prachi and Rhea have, I'll just say that Rhea said something that made Prachi snap.

Prachi, one of the most composed persons I know, snapped at Rhea. It was more than enough for anyone to know that the problem between these two runs much deeper than general anger. I promise you that I'll make Prachi a part of the family she ever wanted, but the equations she and Rhea have can only be mended if wanted by them, both, equally. It might take time, maybe years. But I promise I'll bring the old Prachi back." Aarav promised them, a soft expression on his face, and Pragya knew that he would. He surely would fulfill the promise he just made, not for the sake of keeping the promise, but to bring Prachi back.

"I- I'll do anything and everything you want me to get my daughter back." Abhi assured and Pragya held his hand, placing the other on his forearm and Aarav smiled. Maybe now Prachi will get some of the happiness she deserves.

"I'll try my best to make Prachi happiest. But just don't try to do anything to get Prachi and Rhea close, It is more important to keep Prachi alive than to make her bond with Rhea." Aarav assured again.

"I understand, So let's start, what do we need to do?" Abhi asked, rubbing his hands together, a childlike excitement on his face.

"Now?" Pragya asked at her husband's gestures.

"When else? If you think of taking full twenty years, as much as I love you, that is stupid." Abhi quoted, and winked at Aarav, making all three of them burst into laughter.

"I need some time to think of something that won't feel odd to Prachi, and... Umm" Aarav hesitated.

"What is it?" Abhi asked, noticing his stuttering.

"I need a favor that only you two can help with..."

~*~

"Something really wrong is happening here" A person spoke, leaning against the headbord of the bed.

"Shahana said that Rhea is insecure and jealous of Prachi. And that she had already snatched everything from her." The other said, a calculating expression on the face.

"It seem to run deeper than just Parents' favouritism. Something that is eating Prachi whole from within." The first one concluded.

"And Shahana definately know about it." the second one claimed.

"Of course she do, she know of every breadth Prachi takes. And I have an inkling of what it might be." The first one said slowly.

"We'll have to do something otherwise that stupidly selfless girl will be shattered." The second decalared and got up from the bed.

"Of course we will, we can't let her be here in middle of this good for nothing family."

~*~

Ranbir was standing at the same spot he had been when Prachi had came out on the morning of her birthday. He, once again was at the same place he had seen her genuine smile after ages. He was at the same place where he had found solace so many times. The same balcony where he had seen some of the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets and had longed in those moments to be with the person who had the hold on his heart.

For her to be next to him. Her body warmth to be by his side. For her to gaze at the center of the solar system and for him to gaze at the center of his Universe. For her to marvel at the beauty her first love create on the pallet of the sky with the numerous different hues that the mankind even don't know of and for him to marvel at the undoubled beauty the nature had created just for him to love. For her to look at the numerous little diamonds twinkle and for him to tell her that that's how much he loves her. For her to smile at the increscent reflector of sunlight in the night that many take as the symbol of love and for him to see her shine in it's silver light. 

For them to be together to look at each single phase the moon go through from new moon to full moon, from full moon to new moon and to and fro. For them to identify different constellation that come to horizon throughout the year. For him to show her his favorite constellation and stars, and for her intelligent self to tell him the stories related to the same. He wants to listen to her every tale related to every single star known to human, for the rest of his life, for the rest of their life.

The life that was about to end that day, he shuddered at the thought.

A stone-tight grip clutched his heart as the vision of the same day played in his mind on it's own accord. His mind had went blank and he can swear on his love that his heart had stopped for a moment as he had seen Prachi yelp and fell in the clear liquid. 

His lungs had refused to take in any air as he had seen her body being engulfed by water. His every single muscle, every cell, every neuron had had a freeze moment as his mind had processed the thing witnessed by his eyes. He can bet his life that everything had stopped in that part of a second.

To be honest, for him, it wasn't him who had saved Prachi from drowning. His body had worked on it's own and every thing he did was an instinctive outcome. His brain had passed an unauthorized timeout and it was a totally involuntary action. His feet had carried him to her at the fastest pace that he was sure he had not even gotten close to even in the football field and he had not even thought once before jumping into the pool. It was torturous to see her struggle and fail to swim. 

At that moment, when he had seen her flap her arms and feet at the speed of his erratic heart, to somehow break to the surface, he wanted to kick everyone for not being thoughtful to teach her swimming, himself included. It was absolutely torturous, but...

But his heart had dropped to the pit of his stomach when he had seen her give up. She gave up. She bloody gave up. How could she do this to him? She had stopped her struggle to live and it had killed him. It was like his heart had been ripped out of his body and had been thrown in the depth of the ocean. When she had let out that small of the air she had in her lungs, he had felt like someone was suffocating him by keeping tons of weight on his chest. It felt like the air had been knocked out of his lungs. He had been so angry at her in that moment.

It was out of pure anger that he had single-handedly pulled them both out of the pool. Though being angry, a small part of his heart had been swelled in glee when she had wrapped her thin arms around him as he swam them both to the sideline. And that small part had just gradually overtook every inch of his being along with relief as she had not let go even after coming out to the safety.

Everyone had gathered around them, everyone were calling out to her, but still, she had not let go of him. The happiness and relief had been joined by concern when he had noticed that she was shuddering. Just so slightly that only him, being the closest to her, had noticed it. He had tightened his grip around her while her death-grip on him had remained unmoved.

There was a warmth that had spread through his body when he had paid attention to the fact that she was mumbling something too. Ever so lightly. A word. A name. 

His name.

 She was chanting his name over and over again in feather-light voice. If he had not been hugging her close to him, even he would have missed it.

She had her eyes close, he hadn't uttered a word, still she knew it was him. It was then that his brain had unlocked itself. He had just pulled her closer, if possible, and starting responding with inaudible to others soft, sweet nothings, reassuring her and himself both that she was safe and he had got her. As a result her shuddering had seized instantly and she had leaned against his chest and had buried her ear closer to his heart. He would have stayed there just like that, reassuring her that nothing bad will come her way as long as he is breathing, and her listening to his heart that beat only for her sake.

But his little bubble of heaven was broken when his chief had asked him to move Prachi to the room. It was necessary though. Prachi was tired and wet, so was he. So he picked her up in his arms and started towards the house. He was in the house and up the room but Prachi still had her arms secured around his neck. He felt so..... complete, with her close to himself.

His chain of thoughts were broken by Aryan, who had came to check on him, again.

"Yes Aryan, I am okay." Ranbir replied even before Aryan could ask. He knew the question, after all, it was the only question he had been asking him.

"No, it isn't what I wanted to ask." Aryan contradicted and Ranbir turned his head to look at the other boy with a raised eyebrow. This was new.

"I have a small piece of information for you, might be useful.... for you." Aryan said looking straight ahead at the setting sun and persiued lips.

"What is it?" Ranbir asked, interested.

"I just saw Shahana leave Prachi's room." Aryan whispered like a child telling the other the secret location of chocolate.

"But that is useful for you not me." Ranbir replied in the same manner.

"No, bro, understand. She is alone now." Aryan hinted, enlarging his eyes a bit.

"Understand what? My heart has already chosen Prachi and Shahana is like a sister to me. What yaar Aryan?" Ranbir scolded him.

"What? Have you gone mad?" Aryan asked, shocked of his wild conclusion.

"Have I gone mad? No. You have gone mad. How is Shahana being alone helpful to me?" Ranbir asked, frowning at his best mate. 

Sometimes he talks like he doubts his love for Prachi. And why is it helpful for him that Shahana is alone? And don't he have some undercover feelings for Shahana? And why is he looking at him like he had grown another head?

"Prachi have stolen your heart, but sometimes it seems you yourself have dropped your brain somewhere being stalked by Rhea." Aryan shook his head at him. 

"I meant Prachi is alone. If you want to go to check on her, you can." Aryan explained and Ranbir's face lit up like that was the most brilliant news for him.

"Thank You bro, I love you, you are the best person to ever support my love story." Ranbir engulfed him in a bear hug, kissing Aryan's cheek out of sheer happiness.

"What yaar?" Aryan exclaimed, pushing Ranbir away and wiping his cheek furiously. But that didn't stopped Ranbir from grinning more.

"But you'll have to keep Shahana distracted." Ranbir hopefully asked Aryan.

"Okay, I will." Aryan agreed and stepped back when Ranbir was about to crush him in another hug, "No, stay away, no kissing." Aryan refused, holding out a palm.

"Umm hmmm...." Ranbir teased with a crooked smile, "You are going to Shahana, where is the scope for my kissi's now?"

"Shut up, it's nothing like that." Aryan denied, though a soft color touched his cheeks.

"Yeah, yeah, you are using the same dialogues that I used to, now look where I am." Ranbir wriggled his eyebrows.

"Yeah, totally whipped." Aryan grinned.

"Don't waste time now, come on." Ranbir said, literally dragging Aryan behind him by his sleeve.

Ranbir peeped out of the door, followed by Aryan, and quickly tiptoed to the next room, that have his heart behind the door. Signaling Aryan to got to Shahana, he knocked softly once, then twice and again. He frowned when no moment was detected from the other side and decided to help himself in. 

He let himself in the room and is eyes locked on the silhouette sleeping on the bed. Deciding against disturbing her, he was about to retreat when his sharp ears picked up a small whimper. He turned around to look at Prachi, but nothing. Moving closer to her, to be sure, he heard another whimper and then another. 

He bent down a bit to see if she was awake but her neatly shut eyes indicated that she was in for a deep slumber. But who the hell whimpered? 

It came again and if Ranbir hadn't had his eyes glued to Prachi he would have missed it again. He looked at her being and saw her ands tightly clutching the pillow in one fist while the other was against her chest.

She was having a nightmare.

He softy took seat beside her on the small of the bed and stroked her head a bit with one hand while unclasped her grip on the pillow from the other.

"Shhh... shhh... Prachii, Prachi it's all right, you are okay. You are fine. I'm right here. Look, I'm right here.. You are okay." he muttered softly while smoothing out her sweaty palm his and stroking back her hair from her forehead.

It worked, her breathing got steadier than before and her whimpering stopped altogether.

"I'm sorry Prachi. It is all because of me. Somehow or another, I am the root of all chaos. If it weren't for my stupid infatuation with Rhea, It wouldn't have happened. Only my stupidity instigated her obsession and resulted in this.

Now I am to wed her and I know, how-much ever you deny, how-much ever you refuse, I know that you are hurting too. And look at my helplessness, I can't even take your pain for I am the reason for it.

I'm sorry I promised you that that I'll take away all the sorrows from your life, but look where we are. How baklu of me right? If I had been clear about my feelings from the start, this mess would not have happened. 

But you are at fault too, you know. Why are you not telling me everything? I know you are hiding something from me. And it hurts. It hurts so much Prachi, to see you suffering alone. I can't see you in pain.

I love you yaar. And I know you love me too. Then why are you not telling me the truth? We promised never to keep secrets right?

Sorry, I know not to call you yaar." Ranbir chuckled at the end, his throat clenching to keep the sob in. He couldn't cry here or it will disturb her sleep.

"I love you Chikchiki. I love you a lot. I- I just love you." He whispered as he bent down to leave a soft kiss on her temple.

He kept his lips on her forehead and took a long, deep breath, letting her aroma wash over his senses. Her fragrance take over his being and her scent fill his lungs. 

He reluctantly pulled back and stood up, walking backwards to the door, his eyes still hooked on her face and a small tear flowed down his eye. He turned back to the door and quickly left the room, not bothering to wipe it and clearly missing the small tear that escaped the eyes of the listener followed by a soft.

"I Love you too Ranbir."

A/N:- Hey bubbles, How are you all? First of all I would like to send a heartfelt apology to you all for the delayed update. This chapter was really difficult to pull together and on top of that I had gotten into a really bad habit of procrastination. Pardon me for the set back.

Anyhow, as promised, here is the next chapter. I just wanted to clear the thoughts everyone had after the shocking revelation of the incident. Pallavi, as always, is the thickhead she is and others have a mixed feelings. Do share your thoughts on the chapter. If you liked it, make sure to VOTE and comment.

# What do you think of the Pranbir part?

# Who do you think are the anonymous persons?

# Why do you think is Dida so restless?

P.S. - What the hell are they doing in the serial? I know it is too early to conclude, but it looks like they are planning on just whitewashing Rhea. I mean, though it's been two years and she seems to be matured a bit, but still, what she did were pure crimes. 

And do hell with family togetherness, Pranbir moving back in the Kohli mention will lead to nothing but Pallavi continuously taunting Prachi and somewhere in the future Pranbir will surely start having fights over small matters. This is rubbish. What do you think?

Lots of Love,

Simran