Thank you everyone who read, voted or commented on previous chapter : )

A guilt surges through her witnessing Mehul's defeated state. In a way she was partly responsible for his condition. Drowned In her misery and anguish she failed to notice how much Mehul had suppressed his pain and was suffering silently just to be strong for her.

The only time he broke down in front of her was when they were allowed to hold the tiny dead body of their baby after much begging to Dheeraj. She was in her 8th month of pregnancy when the miscarriage happened, so the baby was almost developed.

Dheeraj knew it will only increase their agony looking at the dead body but Vidhi pleaded him to at least let her hold him for few minutes and he couldn't refuse them. It was a boy...their baby boy whom she couldn't protect, the same baby whom both had promised to love and cherish but...they never got the chance to full fill it.

She was reminiscing about their tragic past. Losing their baby was not only the reason for their distance. Phase after that terrible calamity was painful but with each other's support they were trying to move on slowly but fate had another plans for them, after trying for another baby for almost one year when she couldn't conceive Vidhi was much worried and distressed. They consulted Dheeraj and after several tests doctor informed that the damage was much severe than he thought and her womb wasn't strong to conceive a baby. Vidhi was devastated, though Dheeraj had stated she may conceive later after few months when her body heals completely but that didn't consoled her much.

That's when everything started to change for worse. After hearing about her condition, her relatives and neighbors who once were sympathetic towards her after the miscarriage started talking behind her back.

Earlier in any religious function she used to participate wholeheartedly but after they came know about this news Vidhi was forbidden by her relatives to even touch anything used in worship taunting that she was a barren women and shouldn't participate in any sacred rituals. She loved children but now sometimes woman didn't allowed their kids to go near her saying her bad luck will harm them too. Some even went to the extent of saying she was punished by God because of her misdeeds. Her mother-in-law didn't taunt her openly still...she never stopped others too.

Mehul did stood up for her and tried to protect her from verbal abuse but Vidhi had to stop him seeing it was only straining his relationship with his family.

Our society is strange, when a girl enters someone house as a new bride all bless her for a blissful upcoming life, praise her for her good qualities but when the same girl fails to bear a child they never empathize with her. Instead of trying to understand her pain, they taunt her and all her good qualities mean nothing to them now. When a woman is declared sterile she becomes untouchable same was the case with Vidhi and even though the doctor had said she may become a mother in future it didn't made any difference. Even among her family she felt like an outcast.

Sometimes she even felt like screaming with anger asking them 'Has she become a burden now just because she was unable to provide them a heir, after marriage does woman only becomes a machine to produce children? Apart from being a wife and mother didn't she have her own identity? Why are they blaming her for something which wasn't in her hands?' But she couldn't utter these things and buried these questions deep within her heart.

These past three years have been rough for both of them. It not only took toll on their emotional relationship but physical intimacy too...They no longer made love to shower each other with love and assurance, Vidhi lost her earlier passion and for her it just became a method to conceive a baby.

It wasn't that her love or affection for Mehul had lessen no... she still took care of his every need and loved him with same intensity but, She just stopped showing it...now that she remembers Mehul did tried to make her happy and several times made an special effort to show his love and care but she hadn't reciprocated in same manner. But Years of treatment without any result then verbal assault added to her mental trauma. She kept mourning and hold on to the terrible past knowing it would not do any good to her.

Now Vidhi was filled with anger at herself. How could she be so inconsiderate, she regretted her acts deeply. The grief of a mother in me became so much that it suppressed the love of a wife she thinks sadly.

Pulling back slowly she wipes his tears gently "Calm down Mehul that's enough...I can't see you like this" her voice was soft as she tried to console him.

She takes the baby onesie from his hands "I'll keep it in the cupboard." Mehul merely nods his head before composing himself.

Giving a last look at the dress, Vidhi caress it gently and gives a loving kiss before placing it safely inside the cupboard.

Turning back she went near Mehul and grabs his hand "Dinner is already prepared lets go otherwise food will get cold."

"Okay" came his hoarse voice and he let her lead the way towards the dining table.

Both eat dinner quietly, there wasn't much to say, both were immersed in their own thoughts. While his heart was filled with woe...she was filled with remorse.

Both entered their bedroom.and Mehul locks the door meanwhile Vidhi settles herself comfortably on her side of bed. Mehul climbs on bed too, just as he was about to lie down Vidhi stops him calling his name.

"Hmm?" Mehul looks towards her questioningly.

Without saying anything Vidhi raises herself a bit propping herself on her elbow and makes him lie placing his head on her bosom and starts stroking his hair slowly.

Mehul was bit surprised at her gesture, Earlier whenever he used to get gloomy or worried Vidhi used to hug him and stroke his hair gently to soothe his anxiety. But since these past two years she hadn't been...much expressive.

Lifting his head a bit he looks at her curiously as if silently asking 'why suddenly this gesture'. Reading her husband's expression Vidhi simply gives him a small smile and mutters "Goodnight...Mr.Perfect."

A smile appears on Mehul's face too hearing her old endearment for him "Good night Vidhi" he replies and without thinking anything else he returns back to his previous position placing his head above her bosom and tightly holds her waist.

Vidhi continues running her fingers through his hair, soon she hears Mehul's even breathing indicating he was already asleep. But sleep was far from her eyes...she was still awake thinking about past events but, nothing can be done to change it. She was remorse-stricken and wanted to make amend for her indifference towards her husband's affection.

'It's high time to let go of the past and bring our life back in track' She thinks inwardly 'From tomorrow onwards you'll get your old Vidhi back' She Whispers with determination and after sometime she falls asleep too.

AT THE ORPHANAGE

(There will be some grammatical errors in Preesha's speech as she is a child. So kindly ignore it. )

"I'm so excited to see the new baby" Rashi chirps looking at Preesha.

"Me too, Massi maa says the baby is very cute." Preesha replies with a smile and Rashi nods her head eagerly.

A new baby girl had come in orphanage and both friends were eager to see the new family member. It wasn't uncommon for a new infant to arrive but it had been around 2 years when any new baby came in the orphanage so almost every child were thrilled.

After taking permission from Massi maa both were walking down on one of the corridor of orphanage which leads to a spacious room specially made for the infants. It was also named 'Angel's Room'

Rashi entered the room with a bounce followed by Preesha. The room was painted in a light blue color with cribs and small mattress bed placed on floor. A large cupboard was situated in a corner which was filled with baby products, formulas and medicines.

Preesha looks around the room with fascination, she always felt happy coming here it held cheery atmosphere inside the room. She sees a 2 year old toddler sleeping peacefully in a small bed, an warm smile graces her lips at the sight. Her smile gets even bigger when her eyes fall on Akshat.

Her best friend was sitting on the floor near a crib. He hadn't noticed them yet.

Before she could address him Rashi walks near him smoothly and speaks up "Is this the new baby" her voice was bit loud filled with excitement as she peers in to the crib looking in to the small baby wrapped in a big fluffy blue cloth.

Akshat was little surprised finding her there "Sshh..." he puts his index figure on his lips hushing her "she's sleeping now so don't make much noise...yeah she is the new baby." He whispers with a small smile answering her question.

Rashi nods her head eagerly, her smile still intact as she slowly swings the crib. "She is so cute" she gushes making Akshat smile too.

At that instance Preesha approaches them and Akshat looks at her "Oh! You had come too...good" he gives her a gentle smile. "Come here and look at the baby girl"

Enthusiastically Preesha obliges and kneels down next to Rashi then looks at the innocent baby sleeping peacefully. At first she smiles for a moment but then her smile drops.

"What happened Preesha?" Rashi asks looking at her friend's expression. Making Akshat look at her direction too.

"She is sleeping...I wanted to play with her." Preesha pouts.

Rashi looks at Preesha "yes, I also wanted to play with her." She replies mirroring her pout. . Which makes Akshat chuckle.

"Arey don't worry she is sleeping from past 2 hours so will wake up soon." He assures them and they relaxed.

"Okay...where is Aunty?" Preesha questions looking around asking about their aunty who always take care of infants. (not Maasi Maa another aunty)

"She was here with me, and now she had gone to have her lunch. I came to visit new baby and she asked me to look after baby and Ansh" Akshat point towards the sleeping toddler.

Both girls nod their head in reply. And they got indulged in other talks. After few minutes Rashi noticed some moment in baby "look...she is waking up." She gushes with excitement making other two turn their head towards crib and sure enough the baby was slowly waking up.

Immediately Akshat stands up when he sees the little girl lips beginning to tremble, urgently he brings her pacifier placing it in her mouth and asks Rashi to swing the crib gently. He then goes and starts making baby formula as instructed by Aunty before she left for lunch.

He remember how she had asked to check temperature of milk first before feeding the baby so he does that and after removing her pacifier Akshat gently places the bottle near the baby's mouth.

All watch in fascination as the cute girl began to gulp milk without any fuss, her early crying action was replaced by a blissful one.

Then Rashi remembers she hadn't done her homework and there was also a class test tomorrow so unwillingly she goes from there after informing both her friends and one lovely smile in the infant's direction.

Akshat too had finished feeding the baby and was rocking the crib tenderly, his eyes were fixed on the little girl but his mind was far away.

"Akku?" Preesha softly calls his name when she sees Akshat's melancholy expression. Her voice brings him out of his thoughts and he turns his head in Preesha's direction but doesn't say anything.

"What happened? Why sad?" she asks in her cute voice. Akshat gives her a painful smile.

"I remember..." he sighs, he didn't know how to proceed after a moment of silence he says "I had a sis—sister...I don't remember much but she was so small and soft just like her..." he points towards the baby in crib.

A small smile tugs his lips as he continues looking at the baby "she was very cute and...and you know when I first saw her she had smiled at me" his mind was filled with old memories.

His smile disappeared from his lips and eyes got filled with tears "why mommy daddy did leave me alone? Why did I had to go and live with my uncle? My sister left me too...why didn't they took me with them?" he asks last question in a painful whisper looking at Preesha.

Preesha didn't know what to say, she had never seen Akshat like this, for her Akku was a hero who always made everything right for her but now he is sad and she doesn't know what to do. Then she immediately utters the next word which came in her mind.

"If you also had leave with them then who would have been my friend? Who would have help me in doing homework?" she scoots close to Akshat and grabs his hand "Maasi Maa said me one day that God helps everyone and he had sent you to take care of me, she also said you are my true friend. So your mommy papa did not take you because you are my true friend and I would be alone without you." She says innocently with utmost sincerity.

Preesha didn't know how much her innocent words warmed Akshat heart. Though she had said it in childish innocence still somehow it lessened his pain and a smile appears on his lips. "Yes I had to be here for you, to take care of you."

Preesha grins showing her teeth and, even if most people wouldn't call the sight beautiful still to him she looked very cute.

The gurgling sound of baby catch their attention and they peer in to the crib noticing the baby was playing throwing her hands and legs. Akshat bends and places a tender kiss on the baby's forehead. The baby girl smiles immediately and puts her little fingers on his face which makes Akshat to smile big, and she starts babbling in her baby voice which made his sadness to fade completely.

Here Preesha smiles too, she was happy as her Akku was smiling. Both continued to play with the little angel.

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How is the chapter guys? Hope you liked it.

I'm really very happy as from next chapter there will be all new scenes of Preesha and couple as well. Sincere thanks to all old readers who supported me. I'm sorry you had to reread few scenes and I know it can be boring. Still...you all never complaint and encouraged me. Thank you so much dears. God Bless You All : )

Its Shout Out time now!  Today's Shout Out is for @Sparkle_Daksh

Dear readers if you wanna read an awesome Indian Marriage story then do check out her story 'The Marriage' It's a loving story of a lawyer and famous business tycoon, where they got bonded by sacred bond of MARRIAGE : )

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Take care : )