Disha POV

I noticed the photo frame of Maya. I picked it up and examined it closely.

"Some people are going to leave, but that's not the end of the story. That's the end of their part in the story."

This story hasn't ended yet, but Maya's life did. Every day I miss her. I was always put myself in her shoes and wonder what she would do if she was in this situation. I know for sure that if she was here, she would instantly bring Shraddha home.

"Dishaaaa!" Maya shouted my name.

I smiled at her and gave her a quick hug.

"You'll never believe it!" Maya clapped her hands and jumped. "I got the part."

"Oh my gosh!" I gasped. "Congratulations! See I told you that you would get the role. You were the best."

"You tried out for the role too," Maya said, reminding me.

"Oh, I didn't know," I said making her giggle. "You were the best and I know you won't admit it because that's how you are."

Maya and I met at the auditions for Heropanti. She was the opposite of me, social, friendly and kind, the kind of person whom you can easily become friends with. One day, she came up to me. All I know from that time onwards, I had made a true friend. A person who would always love the imperfect you. Someone would accept the person you are. After we became friends, I realised she and I had more in common than I thought.

Maya sighed and looked away.

"Is everything okay?" I asked with concern.

"I have this friend," Maya said quietly. "She isn't a friend but my soul sister. I want her to be happy, but she is broken like hell. She is the strongest person I know. She continues to love with a broken heart. I hate it that I can't do anything."

"Can't do anything," I said in disbelief. "She is lucky to have you in her life. But you know what, what's important is that you are always there for her. "

"Thanks, Disha," she smiled gratefully. "I want to introduce you to my boyfriend, Jai, my sister Shraddha and Kriti next week."

"Of course," I agree.

If I had known that was going to be the last meeting with Maya before her accident, things would have been different. I had known for eight months but it felt like if we had been friends for years I . Even though she never introduced me to them, I ended up meeting her friends two years later in 2016, who now, play an important role in my life.

"Disha," Kriti said, appearing from nowhere.

"Kriti," I said in surprise and placed the photo frame back.

"I know it was wrong," Kriti said in a quiet voice. "I forgot about Pari's tumor and I..."

Her eyes began to drip with tears and tears began to trace down her cheeks.

"Kriti," I said in surprise and helped her sit down.

"I know you Kriti," I said as I poured myself some coffee. "I know you are hiding something else."

"Oh! Coffee!" Kriti immediately stood up and rushed to the bathroom as her face turned into a shade of green.

"Kriti," I placed my cup back on the table and I rushed after her. She came out of the bathroom.

"You know, that has happened to me as well," I continued. "You have been extra emotional and experiencing unexpected outbursts of anger and the smell of coffee makes you wanna...well do this."

"You're pregnant," a voice said behind us. We turned around and saw Tiger and Sushant staring at us.

"Sushant!" I and Kriti said in unison while Kriti also took a step closer to him.

"I am a month pregnant," Kriti said slowly, not sure how her husband was going to react. "I wanted to surprise you, but not like this. I only found out a week ago."

"Again...another baby...I'm going to be father again," Sushant said happily. He picked up Kriti in his arms. I smiled at the happy couple.

"Umm...sorry to interrupt this happy moment," Tiger called my name. "We have some guests. That's why we came here in the first place. They are in the living room."

"Oh yeah," Sushant nodded while putting Kriti back on her feet carefully.

"Guests!" I exclaimed in surprise while he nodded.

Author POV

The foursome made their way to the living room. Kriti's eyes narrowed as she spotted Varun, Pari, Alia and Sidharth along with Sameer and Annie.

"What are you doing here?" Kriti stormed up to them. She kept her gaze off Varun, she couldn't bear to look his way. She felt disgusted. Total disgust.

"Kriti," Sushant warned and guided her out of the room.

"Please sit down," Disha motioned Pari, Varun, Alia and Sidharth to take their seats.

"Sameer," Kriti's son Kabir said in surprise as he saw his friend who waved at him

"Annie and I go play?" Sameer asked cutely.

"Of course, Sam," Alia said with a smile. Sameer and Annie rushed to join Kabir. Strange how Kriti's son and my son are in the same class, same school and now great friends, Alia thought.

"We came here set things right," Alia started to explain as soon the children were out of the room.

"I know," Disha said softly.

"We are sorry about your tumor," Tiger said quietly.

"Disha, thank you for postponing the movie," Varun said in a quiet voice.

"Well, it's good to see you have some manners," Kriti snarled as she took a seat next to Tiger.

"Kriti," Disha hushed her friend. She knew Kriti was angry. "Let him speak. Don't thank me Varun. I knew you would need some time with Pari. Continue Varun."

Varun sent a grateful smile to Disha.

"I tried to forget her even though I knew I never could. Leave the past behind. But I couldn't so it. The guilt keeps on coming back to haunt me. It keeps on reminding myself that I cannot undo my mistakes. I don't...I... I am... I am sorry..." Varun confessed, faltering slightly.

"You know sorry is just a word which is worthless and overused," Kriti snapped. "Saying sorry isn't going to mend a broken heart. It's a only word."

"I'll do anything," Varun said, looking straight into Kriti's eyes.

"I know what you did. You could have turned over a new leaf any time. But you didn't." Kriti sobbed and tears flooded like the waters rushing down from a waterfall.

Sushant wrapped his arms around his wife. She sobbed into her chest, clutching his jacket, leaving the Dhawan and Malhotra families confused. Sushant held her in silence as her tears soaked his chest.

"She's pregnant," Sushant said after noticing the puzzled looks on their four faces.

"Congratulations!" Sidharth said but wondered if he should have said it.

"Thank you," Sushant said politely.

"Kriti, let me handle it from now," Disha said softly. "You should go and rest. Sushant, I think you should go with her."

Sushant nodded and took Kriti out of the room.

"Before we start, I would like to apologise in behalf of Kriti if she said anything that might have hurt you. I know she didn't mean to," Disha reassured them.

"Thank you but that was not needed," Pari assured her. "We want to clear all misunderstandings."

"The thing is we do care about all of you and Shraddha," Alia joined the conversation.

"And I kept on steering them away from you all and Shraddha," Varun said in a regretful tone.

"It's never too late to say sorry," Disha said knowingly. "But it's the first step in admitting your mistake. It's also never too late to try and make things right."

"What should do I do?" Varun asked. He understood what Disha was trying to say indirectly.

"Help bring Shraddha back into our lives," Disha responded. "He can help us. You and Shraddha shared a very special friendship. Think about it at least. You can help us point out of villages you and Shraddha might have visited."

"All four of have been trying to contact Shraddha but she never answers her phone, tried searching in some of the villages and towns she visited and loved. But we failed." Tiger continued.

"So, are you in?" Disha asked.

"Yes," Varun said with determination.

Disha's lips curved as soon she heard his response whereas the others sighed in relief. It's really nice that the truth finally came out, she thought. Finally things began to fall in place.

************

Varun POV

"We have the latest news on Parineeti Dhawan. Parineeti herself confirmed the rumors about her brain tumor on all social media platforms..." I switched off the idiot box as I spotted my daughter coming.

"Daddy! Mummy!" Annie chirped as I scooped her in my arms."Nanu and Nani have come. And they gave me chocolate. See."

"Oh," Pari said quietly but quickly added. "Annie, it's time for bed."

"Do I have to," Annie complained as Pari kissed her daughter's cheek and went to meet her parents.

"Princess," I placed her back on her feet and held her tiny hand. "It's getting late and you can eat the chocolate tomorrow. Go to your room and I will come in a few minutes to get you ready for bed. You also just had ice-cream."

"Yes daddy," Annie said reluctantly and made a face as she handed me the chocolate. I chuckled at her cuteness as she ran to her room. No role brings greater or blessing than being a parent. I sighed and went to join Pari and her parents

"Don't worry Dad and Ma," I consoled my mother in law. "Nothing will happen to her."

"Varun, it's too late," Pari said sadly. "I'm sorry"

"Don't talk like that beta," her dad chided. "Don't give up yet."

"Alia and I are taking you tomorrow to that neurologist she knows," Varun reminded his wife. "Dad is right. We shouldn't lose hope yet."

"Mam, Sir," Ramu, our servant called out our names. "Disha Mam is here."

"Disha!" Pari exclaimed. I knew she was thinking the same thing as me. What was Disha doing here?

"I need to talk to you and Varun privately," Disha said with a sigh. "I am sorry for coming at this hour."

"No, it's fine," I said making her smile in relief. "Let's go in that room."

"Is there a problem?" Pari asked with concern.

"No," Disha shook her head. "Actually, Varun I think I...I think you should leave tomorrow. It's for the best."

"For Shraddha," I asked stupidly.

"Obviously," Pari rolled my eyes at me.

"I think it's for the best," Disha explained. "Look, you'll be back before Pari's treatment. I swear. It will only take you some days."

"How are you so sure?" I asked curiously. It almost seemed like if she knew...nah that's not possible.

"Well..." she smiled mysteriously. "There is something that you should know."

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The best feeling in the whole world is watching things finally fall into place after watching them fall apart for so long.

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Your views on the chapter😎

Ended with a cliffhanger😝😝😝😝😝.

Finally updated this book! I know this chapter was boring so sorry about that. It was an important chapter and now I want to update this book weekly. I want to try but I can't promise as my school starts on Tuesday🙁🙁🙁🙁.

Kriti's pregnant😁. That was a good surprise.

Varun finally stopped running away and well realised his mistake and agreed to take action.

What do you all think Disha wanted to tell Varun and Pari?

Next chapter, there is a surprise for all of you😁

Have you watched Mission Mangal trailer? It looks promising.

Till then signing off
Mrs Hrithik Roshan
Tia💜