Author POV

"It's good to be home," Shraddha said, causing everyone to form a smile. They were glad to know that she was happy and acknowledged Mumbai as 'home.'

Disha sent a quick smile towards Varun and Pari. Pari responded back with a wide smile and Varun mouthed a 'thank you.' Both Varun and Pari knew that without Disha, bringing Shraddha home wouldn't be possible. Unknown to Disha, Tiger noticed this and became puzzled, he decided to ask Disha privately.

"We promise to be better friends," Alia promised her and hugged Shraddha tightly. Everyone joined in the hug.

"Before Varun and Shraddha arrived," Kriti said as everyone parted fron the group hug. "Pari said she will announce the details of her treatment when everyone will be there. These days, technology has become very advanced and the success rates of treatments for cancers and tumors have increased. Keep that in mind. You will recover from this."

Pari contorted her lips into a smile, but the sad look remained in her eyes.

"Kriti, you are right. The technology has become advanced these days and the success rates have increased but..."

"But what!" Varun said coldly.

"You are not understanding my situation," Pari continued slowly. "The first symptom of my tumor was detected years ago but I choose to ignore it. I have brain tumor stage IV. There are treatments but the success rate isn't so high..."

"Pari, don't say that!" Alia snapped as she . She hated where this conversation was going.

"Alu, I have too," she said sadly. "I have less than an year left if I don't take the treatments and that's what I am going to do. I want to live my last moments happily with my family and friends, the people whom I love the most. This is my decision."

Everyone was stunned. Shraddha's brain stutters for a moment and leaves the room and Kriti follows her friend before giving a disappointed glance in Pari's direction.

"So you aren't even going to try the treatment?" Sid said dryly and Pari stayed silent and Pari shook her head slowly. Everyone slowly left the room except for Pari and Disha.

"You aren't going to leave the room," Pari sighed and glanced at Disha who seemed deep in thought.

"Actually I was thinking about Varun and Shraddha but Pari, are you sure about this. It is 2024 and the success medical treatments has increased now and constantly is."

"I just want to live these moments happily Disha," Pari smiled weakly. "That's what I want. And Shraddha, I stole her Batuk..."

"Never say that again!" Disha interupted. "You never took Varun away from her. He pushed her away and threw her out of his life. He realised her worth after that. They weren't meant to be. You and Varun make the perfect couple."

"I know that we haven't been the closest of friends but all I need is my family's and friends' support and love," Pari said quietly. "Without you, Varun would have never found Shraddha."

Flashback

"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..."

"That you had to come now without the others," Varun added while Disha nodded.

"Does the name Lonavla sound familiar," Disha said as Varun's eyes widened while Pari was confused.

"Shraddha and I spend half of our holidays there. She also proposed to me there..." his voice trailing away. "She's there...Shraddha had been in Lonavla for this time. How do you know?"

"I found about Shraddha a year ago," Disha explained. "Kriti was convinced that she was in a place that no one would think of and well Kriti was right. Kriti decided that Lonavla would bring her bad memories about that incident and Maya. But she was wrong, Maya was born in that town and almost all the happy memories that Shraddha had of Maya were there. So, I went to Lonavla and found Shraddha there."

"I'm confused," Pari said, wondering why had hid Shraddha's location.

"Shraddha still doesn't know that I know where she is," Disha said softy. "After her family's death, the pain she suffered, grief, it changed her completely. She was broken and we didn't know how to help her, and she started to stay away from everyone including Kriti, Tiger and me. At Lonavla, she wasn't like that. Somehow that place is magical in a way, it never fails to help her heal her broken self. She was happy there but Mumbai she wasn't. I wanted to talk to her, but I failed to do so and prayed she would return by herself and never told anyone but when Pari said that you wanted her back, I couldn't hide it any longer and told you both."

"I'll go tomorrow morning," Varun said in a quiet voice. "I have the time right now but Pari..."

"We will take care of her, don't worry," Disha assured him. "Pari will never be alone."

Flashback ends

"No one will stay mad at you Pari," Disha assured her. "Everyone will come around. They know how to be sensible and hopefully, by tomorrow, I hope this happens."

"If I do the treatment then, I will have a low chance of survival," Pari said slowly. "I don't think I can do this."

Unknown to Pari and Disha, Tiger secretly listened to their entire conversation. He felt slightly betrayed so he quickly tip toped to another room. He wondered why everything had had become so complicated. He sighed as he entered the balcony and closed his eyes.

"Jai," a voice called out his name. His eyes fluttered open and he noticed a girl standing beside him. Her eyes were a gentle cinnamon with a deep brown rim around the iris. Her hair flowed down her back shining like the sea at night. It was his Maya.

"Maya," he whispered, staring at her in awe. Her lips lift upward, her dimples crinkle, forming a beautiful smile. "Is this real?"

She let out a chuckle and said, "You can think whatever you want of this. You have a family now, an amazing wife and Tanya. Even Shraddha is back now..."

"Disha knew though..." he said sadly.

"Well Disha did the correct thing," Maya interrupted. "Shraddha needed time alone to heal, and Mumbai held memories of many traumatic incidents. Don't be mad at her."

"I won't...I'm not mad at her," Tiger said quietly. "I wish she just told me."

"Just promise me one thing," Maya stared at him. "Never let go of Disha, you two are meant to be, just always be there for her, Kriti and Shraddha."

"You know I already promised you that," Tiger said with a smile.

"Tiger!" Disha's voice echoed the room as Maya began to fade away slowly.

"Daddy!" Tanya came rushing to him and hugged his legs with her tiny arms. Tiger scooped Tanya into his arms.

Your views on the update😎

I'm back to updating finally and all my exams are over❤❤❤❤

Soooo what do you think of the surprise of Maya. I wanted to do this update before my exams but now you have at a month later.

Do you think Disha did the right thing by hiding where Shraddha was?

Next update I promise, will be sooner and in some weeks, my school will end so updates will be more frequent then.

Anyone watched housefull 4?

Till then signing off
Mrs Hrithik Roshan
Tia❤❤❤