We were at the beach today, surrounded by the warmth of family and friends. Tara sat quietly, building a little house out of sand with her small, delicate fingers. The rest of us - Dhruv, Rivan, Mahira, and I played beach volleyball. Jaya was our self-proclaimed umpire, keeping the game lively with her comments. We had been having fun for hours, laughing and enjoying the sun.

At some point, the volleyball went flying towards Tara's side. Jaya went to fetch it, but when she returned, her eyes were red with tears. She told us that Tara had called us 'fools' for playing volleyball on the beach. I didn't think twice before anger boiled over in me. I grabbed the ball from Jaya and stormed over to Tara. Without asking for an explanation, I smashed the ball straight into her sand house, watching it crumble.

Tara was stunned. Before she could even react, I pushed her into the pile of sand, crushing what she had been building. Her wide, tear-filled eyes met mine, and at that moment, I felt something break inside. She didn't deserve this. But no one moved. Everyone seemed upset with her, convinced by Jaya's lie.

It wasn't until later, when the adults stepped in to calm things down, that we realized Jaya had made up the whole story. Tara hadn't called us fools. The hurt in her eyes lingered on me, a silent accusation.

Before we could apologize, Tara ran towards the shore, needing space. Guilt gnawed at me the entire time, but just two hours later, she returned with a handful of candies, offering them to me with a smile as if nothing had happened. That's who Tara is—mature in ways I never was. She forgave me easily, while I stood there feeling like the true fool.

- from Ishaan diary written at the age of 15

Tara's POV

I had just finished scrolling through the photos I took from his old diary on my phone, and the memory of the beach incident came rushing back. That day, Mom, Uncle, Aunt, and Dhruv's mom tried to cheer me up with candies, but I cried a lot.

Yet, reading Ishaan's diary today made me smile at the memory. I took a bite of the chocolate Ishaan had given me earlier, grinning throughout the day.

I waited outside my office for Ishaan to pick me up. After five minutes, he arrived, opening the door from inside the car. I got in, pouting.

"Why did you put chocolates in my file?" I asked while fastening my seatbelt.

"You were on your period, so I thought it would boost your energy and make you happy," Ishaan murmured, shifting gears.

I gazed out the window, lowering it to let the cool breeze refresh my face as soft music played.

"Did you eat the chocolate?" he asked.

"No, I'm saving it to make chocolate pasta for you," I teased, licking my lips.

Ishaan shot me a disgusted look. I laughed, knowing I was just messing with him.

"I ate the chocolate, but I'm still not happy," I mumbled, crossing my arms and pouting.

"Maybe it's just mood swings," Ishaan replied, making me snort.

I stayed quiet, waiting for him to cheer me up.

"We're going on a long drive until you're happy," he said, shifting gears again.

I smiled at his words, enjoying the comfortable silence between us.

The wind kept blowing my hair into my face, so I tried fixing it behind my ears repeatedly.

"Fixing my hair in the car is a hassle," I grumbled.

"But the way you fix your hair always mends my crumbled heart," Ishaan whispered. 

I glanced at him in surprise, chuckling.

"Did you just say that out loud?" I teased.

"Yes," he muttered.

"I'm happy now," I said, blushing. It wasn't the drive that lifted my mood but his sweet words.

When we returned to the Divan mansion, Ishaan noticed the watchman talking to Shyam and Abjit. He stopped the car and signaled for me to go inside.

"Aunt, where are you?" I called out as I entered the house.

Jaya's voice suddenly boomed from the other room, making me flinch.

"Don't you have any self-respect? We threw you out, and yet you came back. Shame on you," Jaya spat.

"Jaya, stop," Aunt Rachana pleaded, but Jaya ignored her.

"You lived a royal life for three years, and now that you have to live normally, you came back to steal money. You're so money-minded," Jaya continued, her words cruel.

I noticed Dhruv and Mahira standing behind her. Dhruv didn't speak up for me. His silence was louder than any accusation. I lowered my head, regretting that I had come to read Ishaan's old diary.

"Are you trying to seduce Ishaan so he won't divorce you again?" Jaya sneered, making my eyes well with tears.

"No!" I squeaked.

"You're the cheapest person I've ever met. Maybe you need a slap, just like your brother," Jaya smiled wickedly.

"Jaya!" Uncle yelled, but Jaya continued her tirade.

"She's manipulating you and Aunt. Don't fall into her trap, Uncle," Jaya shouted.

"Jaya, go to your room. We'll talk in the morning," Uncle ordered.

"I won't! I care about my brother's future, unlike you," Jaya snapped.

Before she could insult them further, I spoke up.

"I'll leave today," I mumbled, tears in my eyes. Jaya gave me a sarcastic smile, making me feel utterly ashamed.

"You should blame your brother Ishaan for forcing Tara to stay here," Dhruv finally spoke, grabbing my wrist.

"We'll go to the Pathak mansion." Dhruv declared.

As Dhruv tugged me toward the door, he suddenly stopped. Ishaan stood there, his eyes blazing. The intensity in his gaze made Dhruv drop my hand. Behind Ishaan stood Mrs. Malini Pathak, Abjit, and Shyam. Jaya seemed frustrated by Ishaan's presence.

"Before you leave, read this report," Ishaan said, handing a letter to Dhruv.

Ishaan walked over to me, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me close. I was stunned.

As Dhruv read it, his eyes widened in shock. Mahira took the report from him and stared at it, speechless.

Mrs. Malini Pathak took the report from Mahira and smiled brightly. 

"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Divan! The results are positive!" Aunt Malini announced with excitement.

Uncle approached her, asking, "Sister, Is it true?"

"Yes, Mrs. Divan is pregnant. We should celebrate," Ishaan declared, leaving me momentarily stunned.

I leaned closer to Ishaan, whispering, "Ishaan, you know I'm on my period. We haven't done anything in three years. How could I be pregnant? I'm not."

"Tara, don't say another word," he murmured in response.

"It's impossible," Dhruv muttered.

"Shut your mouth!" Aunt Malini scolded Dhruv as she and Aunt Rachana approached me with smiles.

"You're going to be a mother!" Aunt Rachana exclaimed, hugging me.

"Aunt, I'm on my period," I whispered in my feeble voice. Both Aunt Rachana and Aunt Malini glanced at Ishaan. He smirked, his gaze lingering on Aunt Rachana's belly.

"So, Mrs. Rachana Divan, you're the one who's pregnant," Mrs. Malini declared. "Congratulations, brother and sister-in-law!"

"I'm not pregnant! I haven't taken any test," Aunt Rachana replied, shocking everyone.

"So, who is pregnant?" Dhruv demanded, growing impatient.

"The report says 'Mrs. Divan,' but someone is lying and misusing our family name. We need to find the culprit," Ishaan said, taking the report.

Everyone was confused, but I already knew the truth. It was Jaya. She hadn't asked me for pads in two months.

Should I tell Ishaan?

"Why the hell are you standing there silent? Oh, I forgot, you only open your mouth to scold Tara, right?" Ishaan berated Jaya.

Jaya's eyes filled with dread as she faced Ishaan's fury. She glanced at Uncle and Aunt, seeking support, but they were too bewildered by the report to intervene.

"This report belongs to Jaya Patel, my beloved sister. She disguised her name at the hospital and took a pregnancy test, only to throw the report in the trash," Ishaan announced, causing everyone to gasp.

"Why didn't you tell anyone about this?" Ishaan asked Jaya, his voice calm but icy.

"I'm not interested in having a child right now, so I decided to abort the pregnancy. I'm going through with the abortion tomorrow," Jaya said bluntly.

A sharp sound echoed through the living room. Ishaan had slapped Jaya across the face. Everyone blench at the sight. Jaya rubbed her crimson cheek, stunned.

"How could you slap me?" Jaya sobbed.

Before she could react further, Ishaan slapped her again, this time on the other cheek. His fury was palpable. I hurried toward him, glancing at Jaya, who stood there, trembling and holding her face.

"Ishaan! Jaya is pregnant. Please calm down," I whispered, trying to soothe him.

"She had done two abortions already! The most shocking thing is that Abjit didn't know about it. We only found out today thanks to Shyam and the watchman. Do you expect me to stay calm after this?" Ishaan roared, raising his hand to strike her again, but Abjit quickly stepped before Jaya.

With a silent plea, Abjit signaled Ishaan not to hit her again. Ishaan clenched his jaw in frustration, eyes burning with rage.

"You've never slapped me before, but now you have. And it's all because of Tara, isn't it?" Jaya accused, pointing at me.

"If you don't get your wife away from me, I swear I'll kill her," Ishaan growled at Abjit, his voice dangerously low.

"It's my choice whether to have a baby or not," Jaya shot back, fueling Ishaan's anger further.

"Abjit is your husband. You didn't even tell him. Do you even realize how many couples would give anything to have a child? Yet you've killed two lives already," Ishaan spat, his words laced with disgust.

"I..." Jaya started to defend herself, but Abjit placed his hand over her mouth.

"Don't say anything," Abjit said quietly, trying to calm the situation, but Jaya pushed his hand away.

"Fine, I won't. But, I will speak about Tara! I don't want Tara staying here in the Divan mansion," Jaya's voice rose, her ego flaring, provoking Ishaan further.

"She will stay! Abjit, take your wife home," Ishaan commanded, his voice firm.

"Tara is not staying here. She'll stay at the Pathak mansion," Dhruv suddenly declared, making Ishaan grit his teeth.

"And what's with this sudden concern?" Ishaan questioned Dhruv, suspicion evident in his tone.

"Tara is my friend, and soon, she'll be more than just a friend. She has every right to stay with me," Dhruv confessed, his words bold and unapologetic.

"Where was this concern three years ago?" Mrs. Malini Pathak interjected angrily.

"Mom, it's my life. I can make my own decisions, and I can make them whenever I choose," Dhruv replied, addressing his mother with defiance.

"Then stick to the decision you made three years ago, and live with it for the rest of your life," Ishaan taunted with a smirk.

"What is going on here?" I asked, utterly bewildered by the conversation.

"Your mother's dying wish was for you to marry Dhruv. But he rejected you. Everyone tried to convince him, but he was stubborn and wouldn't change his mind," Ishaan confessed, pausing for a moment.

I turned to look at Dhruv, who had now averted his gaze. My heart ached, the pain unbearable. I had no idea my mother had proposed my marriage to Dhruv.

"When Dhruv refused..." Mrs. Malini Pathak paused glimpsing at Ishaan.

"Ishaan agreed to marry you," Mrs. Malini Pathak explained, her voice gentle but firm.

But my mother hadn't consulted me about the most important decision of my life. Anxiety gnawed at me.

"At the time, I wasn't settled in my life. But now, I am, financially," Dhruv tried to justify his past decision, though his words felt hollow.

"Regardless, Tara is not coming with you. Go back to your own home," Ishaan declared with a smug smile.

"Who exactly is Tara to you, Ishaan? Do you have feelings for her?" Dhruv asked, pressing Ishaan for an answer. 

Everyone's eyes were on him now.

"Tell us, Mr. Ishaan Divan," Uncle said, his curiosity echoing mine.

"Tara is nothing more than a guest in my life. I have no feelings for her," Ishaan answered, exhaling deeply.

My heart shattered into a thousand pieces at his words.

"Then why do you insist on Tara staying at the Divan mansion when the two of you are about to finalize your divorce?" Jaya questioned, teaming up with Dhruv to expose Ishaan's true feelings.

"Tara is my guest. She can come to the Divan mansion whenever she likes. No one has the right to question her presence here. She'll stay with me until our divorce is finalized. Even after that, if she wants to stay, it'll be her choice. Now, all of you—get lost!" Ishaan shouted, his anger filling the room.

I couldn't stand it any longer. Tears welled up in my eyes as I ran back to Ishaan's room. Moments later, Ishaan followed me in.

"So, I mean nothing to you? You don't have any feelings for me? Then why did you stop me from going on my first date with Dhruv?" I demanded, needing answers.

"I'm tired, Tara. Let's sleep," Ishaan replied, avoiding my gaze and refusing to answer.

"Fine. You're nothing but a 'sweet fanny Adams' in my life too. Since I'm just a guest, I'll sleep in the guest room," I snapped, grabbing my phone and storming out of the room, my heart heavy with sadness.

I collapsed onto the guest room bed, scrolling through the pictures on my phone, then started reading the snapshots of Ishaan's old diary. Tears flowed down my cheeks, unchecked. I blamed Ishaan for my emotional turmoil, for the confusion in my heart.

Slowly, my eyelids grew heavy, and I drifted to sleep, escaping reality and losing myself in dreams.

Dedicating this chapter to NickEmp2, AyeshaMd1, disha7722,  anaviabhi, SonuKoli, Aaditria, ShwethaS041, Fenrii, priee09, singhtrish_a,   for the constant support by voting for the book.

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