Sanam was hoping to leave the next morning early so she wouldn't have to face Arjun. Half the night, she was awake and so when it was morning, she'd gotten up before her alarm would have the chance to ring and disturb his sleep.

Her heart started beating faster when she heard the door opening while she was in the kitchen. Before she could think of a game plan, he'd walked up to the kitchen rubbing his eyes. "Hey, you're up early."

She let out a nervous chuckle, "I should be saying that about you."

He smiled to himself, walking towards her. "Yeah, I just wanted to wish you before you'd leave."

She stopped in her tracks of pouring coffee into her Yeti cup hearing his words. He'd woken up early just for that.

Taking notice of that, he kept going. "Happy new year, Sanam."

She pressed the lid over the cup, a thin smile on her face with the briefest glance in his direction. "Happy new year to you too." She quickly turned with rushed words, "Sorry, I'm running late."

It was such a lie. Arjun knew her morning schedules like the back of his hand. Reaching out to her, he grabbed her mid-arm and pulled her back.

Crashing into him, she scolded with wide eyes, "Arjun, what is wrong with you? This coffee could have..." She trailed off when his eyes widened just a bit. She quickly dipped her head blinking away and asking in a lowered octave. "Let me go."

The two seconds she had spared showing her face to him, he figured out why she was avoiding him. Last night's behavior came back to him and he didn't like that she'd been crying and he hadn't noticed it the slightest. His hand didn't leave her as his free one lifted up to her chin. He tried but even she was stubborn to not look at him.

He ordered softly, hating that he had to push her for this. "Look at me."

She wriggled her hand in his grip pulling her chin back. "Leave me, I'm getting late."

This once, he didn't hold back on his true thoughts as he nudged her closer to him again. "Your class doesn't start for another hour so cut the crap and look at me, Sanam."

With a flash of her own temper, she held her ground. "You don't get to force your strength on me, Arjun. Let me go right now."

Once her words settled in her brain, his eyes closed gathering composure. His grip loosened around her arm but before she could have slipped it out and take a step back, with a tug, he brought her into his arms. She tried to fight him at that too but he wasn't going to let her get this as well.

At her lowest emotional self, she didn't have the energy to keep fighting. Her hands stopped and she stood there motionless. Seconds ticked by and the safety of his embrace seeped in, threatening her tears again. When she didn't think she could hold it in, she started to inch away. Getting the hint, he pulled back as well. In a soft motion, he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, rubbing her cheekbone with his thumb.

"Talk to me please." He asked in utmost concern.

"It's nothing." She mumbled starting to walk away.

"Sanam, if something is hurting you, I want to know." He continued his attempts, following her to the living room where she was trying to get her bag and leave. "Sweetheart, please."

She sighed at the word he used for her, one he hadn't spoken in a long while, and turned towards him. "Yesterday was just a tough day. We, uh... we lost a patient." She gave him a part of the whole.

"I'm so sorry, Sanam. I..."

She shook her head, lips pressed thin. "No, why? There was nothing we could have done." She picked up her bag, "Anyway, I'm fine. Thanks. I'll...see you later."

"Sa..."

He tried to stop her, to ask if she'd want to talk about it, but she interrupted. "Bye."

Even after what he'd decided once his conversation with Parth, Arjun was finding it hard to be there for her, because she wouldn't let him.

With quick thinking, he put his shoes on and ran after her. Just as she got into the car, he slipped into the passenger seat. She gave him a questioning look to which he replied, "Drop me off at mom and dads? You can wish them too before leaving."

She said, "Arjun, I don't have time for this," thinking he was prolonging and forcing this hoping she would talk to him.

That was his intention but he wasn't giving up easily. He admonished her lightly, "Its our New Year, Sanam. You can take five minutes out of your day to see our elders or do you want them to start doubting if things are okay between us?"

Biting back a comment, she put on her seat belt. What comment would she give anyway? He was right. She shouldn't be so cold-hearted to not even wish his parents when she was constantly pulling a number on them, lying to them about her and Arjun.

Once on the road, he started speaking casually, "Your midterms will end on Wednesday, right? I'm thinking of having friends over for dinner."

Half-heartedly, she mumbled. "It's your place." Translate: why are you asking me? They are your friends.

"They're your friends too." When she didn't respond, he added. "Oh, and yesterday Anaya was asking me what to do for Neha's baby shower."

"We'll think of something." Translation: boys are not allowed at the shower, so why are you asking?

"I know we're not invited but if we can help in any way, feel free to let me know."

She briefly glanced at him, weirded out that he was replying to her undertones more than her explicit words. "Uh, sure."

"And..."

"Okay, look, Arjun, can we not do this right now? It's giving me a headache. My coffee hasn't kicked in yet and if you don't already know, I'm not a morning person at all." She eventually lost it and snapped at him.

He glanced ahead. "Sorry."

And now she felt like a bitch. She knew he was only trying to help get her back to her normal self, bring her out of her sadness. Her normal-self won out, apologizing. "No, I'm sorry. I get you were trying to help and I appreciate it but I'm not in the mood to talk about last night or anything else right now. I hope you'll understand."

"Yeah." The car ride was silent for a few minutes till he spoke up again. "You don't want to talk, but just listen. You once told me not talking about it doesn't help and I'm saying it to you now. I can't compare to what you see in the hospital as a doctor, Sanam but all my time in therapy, if I've learned one thing, it's that you need to have a support system. A person or a group of people you can share everything to in a space of no judgement. I'll be that person if you'll let me but if not me, still please talk to someone. Neha. Esha. Anyone. Just don't move on with your days as if nothing happened. In the long run, you'll be burned out. It'll destroy you and I don't want that for you."

Throughout, his eyes were on her while hers were fixated on the road. Even if she didn't reply, he was sure she'd heard him. Wordlessly, they got out of the car when Sanam parked it in the driveway. Arjun punched in the code to enter the house and Sanam followed.

At the top of the stairs was Anaya, "Has anyone seen my Lit book? I was reading it about two days ago."

Rahul was following Neha out of the room downstairs, "Nehu, sweets, please. I'm sorry. You asked why the pants weren't fitting you. I just gave you an honest reply."

In the living room, Ishaan asked, "Where's my newspaper?"

From the kitchen, his mother yelled. "Breakfast is ready everyone!"

"Welcome to the madhouse." Arjun said to Sanam as she witnessed everyone for the first time in the mornings. Then he let their presence be known, "Room for two more?"

Anaya ran down the stairs, straight into his arms while everyone stopped their side bickering to walk to them in a normal speed. "Bro, happy new year!"

"Happy new year, cricket." He wished her back using the name he had for her due to her habit for chirping about at any given time of the day.

A whole round of wishes was passed around with everyone embracing everyone. Neha nudged, "Let's all have breakfast. The boys are getting late."

Arjun questioned, "It's new year. Since when do we work on holidays?"

Ishaan answered, "I know, son. But unfortunately, the Americans don't understand it's our new year."

Arjun rolled his eyes, sitting on the couch, "Oh just shut it dad. No one is going to work today. We're going to have family day like we always do."

Anaya asked, excited, "Does that mean I get to skip school too?"

Ishaan recovered from his shock and had his hands on his hips, "Arjun Ishaan Mehta, did you just tell you father to shut up?"

Arjun answered cheekily, "No, I told you to shut it. Difference. And yes, Anaya. If you don't have a test or important paper to submit, then you don't have to go."

Anaya slumped on the couch, "Finally. You know, I'm so glad you're home this year. They made me go to school last year. Bhabhi, are you spending the day with us too?"

Sanam felt bad denying the sweet girl, "No, I'm sorry. I actually have a midterm today."

"Oh yes, bhai did mention yesterday why you couldn't come. Good luck! You're gonna do awesome on the test."

Sanam smiled at her lovingly, reminded of Esha. "Thanks. I should get going."

Everyone bid her and Arjun walked her out of to the driveway. She opened the door but just before she'd get inside, she looked back at Arjun who was standing a couple feet away from the car with his hands crossed over his chest. With a much lighter heart, she walked back to him and hugged him quickly. "Thank you for bringing me here."

He understood it was what she needed even if she didn't say the words. Smiling, he nodded and the strained conversation in the car was put to rest, things normal between the two – just like that, without actually talking about anything.

For the first time during new year, she felt at peace. It should have been like one should feel being with family. In the last few months since the marriage, she didn't realize when unknowingly his family started feeling like her family as well. Just a simple hug and a loving hand of his parents on her head earlier had made everything right for her.

~

By 5 in the evening, Sanam was free from her shift at the hospital. Emelia asked, "Join us for a study session in the library?"

"Not today."

The twins stopped walking. Roselyn said, "Come again?" It was unnatural for Sanam to say no to study especially during midterms.

"Oh chill, you guys are reacting to everything from me strongly these days."

Roselyn backed up their reactions with legit reasons, "Shouldn't we? You were eerily quiet last night and today you're saying no to study session."

"Okay yes, last night was something but its nothing today. It's just our new year so I'm thinking I'll go spend it with family." Sanam informed as they neared her car.

They relaxed. Emelia wished, "Ah, happy new year then."

Roselyn agreed, "Yeah, definitely go celebrate with your family."

"Oh speaking of, you need to introduce us to Arjun one day!"

Sanam nodded, "Sure, we'll see. Bye."

"See you tomorrow."

~

Once Sanam got home, she texted Arjun to ask where he was. As he'd said earlier, he spent the entire day at the Mehta house with his family. So, when he confirmed he was still there, she decided to shower and meet them there. This morning with the brief moment with his family had definitely served as an epiphany to her.

She kept being sad over the fact that her childhood was not a happy one, and yet, here was a family who loved her, who accepted of her. She reminded herself that Arjun's childhood wasn't happy either, but he was still a happy person. She could be free of her past too if she would just put in the effort. And so, why stay gloomy when you could spend the little free times she had around people that lit up her life?

In the traffic, it took her some time but close to 6:30, she did get there. Parking in the driveway, she noticed familiar cars again and assumed his friends were holed up here as well. She loved how they were a close-knit huge mixed family.

As soon as she walked around the entrance and towards the living room, everyone jumped on her. Everyone meaning Parth, Samar, and Josh. She ended up stumbling back trying to grow accustomed to the sudden group hug that was sprung on her.

In the distance, she saw Arjun walking down the steps at a normal speed. He had a questioning look on his face, but she smiled at him. Once they released her, Samar explained. "We might have seen you coming through the window."

Ah, that explained Arjun walking down. They'd taken off before him to come greet her.

Parth added, "We're surprised seeing you here, you know? We figured you'd stay home and study when you texted." Her brows knot and he explained sheepishly, "Uh, yeah. Juno's phone might have been with me when you texted. I was playing Candy Crush."

"So you replied to my message?"

"Yeah, sorry." He unashamed confirmed and then gave her a playful glare, "Thanks for making me lose the round by the way."

She teased him back, "You should perhaps play the game on your phone then."

He chuckled happily that her comebacks were back. "Well, well, look who's back."

"Oh please," She defended herself, "I never went anywhere. I was just busy with studies."

"We're all busy, Sanam." Samar replied, "Well, except for Josh. He's good for nothing."

Josh defended, "Hey! I'll have you know I run a very successful bar."

Arjun threw in a comment, "Yeah, one your dad opened up for you and you just pay people to keep it running. Lots of hard work, bro. Very impressive."

Josh picked up a pillow and threw it in his directions.

Arjun gracefully caught it before it'd hit him.

Ignoring them, Samar continued, "No, seriously though. We've got work. Parth has law school. We all get that you get busy in life but what's so important that you can't spend time with your friends and family now and again?"

"You wouldn't say that if you were in medical school." She left her purse by one of the couch cushions. "And anyway, I just got here. Stop ganging up on me. I'm hungry."

While everyone stayed there, Parth followed her, "Oh, lemme show you this amazing treat I bought from this Brazilian café."

"So on Indian new year you bring Brazilian sweets? Where's your patriotism?" She teased him as she waited for him to take it out of the fridge.

He forwarded the box towards her, "Shut up and eat this."

She examined the shape of a cupcake. "Are you sure this is Brazilian and not just a cupcake you picked up from the grocery store?"

He took out a piece and placed it in her hand. "For your kind information, it's called Brigadeiro. It's their national delicacy, pretty much."

"O-kay," she sang out the word before proceeding to have a bite.

"Good, right?" He asked.

Swallowing she nodded. "It has my approval."

"Want more?" She was not one to say no to sweets. She accepted one more and then he returned the box to the fridge. "You know, Samar only meant that even if you're busy with school and work, you can try and make an effort to still stay in touch. Look at us, we've all got stuff but once we're off the normal 9-5 work schedule, we all meet up, talk on the phone and all that – especially on the weekends."

She relaxed back leaning against the counter and picking off the chocolate sprinkles to eat individually. "You don't think I'd like that too? Parth... it's just been so long that I've only focused on studies. No friends or family. And honestly, by the time I got home, I'm exhausted and I still have things left to do."

"It can be a work in progress, right?" He motivated her to give it a try. "I'm not saying get careless with your studies and focus on your personal life but yeah, a couple of messages now and again is still something. Even if it's just to say 'hi, how are you?' That still sends more of a message than being completely absent."

She nodded staring at the last remaining bite of the delicacy. "I suppose you're right."

He smiled at her encouragingly before nodding towards the living room. "Now come on. We were about to start a new round."

She laughed, "Video games? No, thank you. I have no intention of making a fool out of myself."

Still, he pushed her out by the shoulders. "We're playing FIFA. It'll be fun. Arjun will teach you."

Hearing his name, Arjun asked, "Teach what?"

"Sanam needs to be taught how to play FIFA."

Sanam tried to get out of it, "You don't need to do that. Where's Neha? I'll go keep her company."

The boys snickered. Confused, she looked at Arjun questioningly. He informed, "Neha is the one with the mood swing to play FIFA."

"It was either that or go to the bowling rink. We figured this was safer." Samar added as everyone started getting up to walk towards the game room.

"I need to have a word with my best friend then." Sanam muttered at the fact that she was betrayed by Neha because of her pregnancy mood swings.

Arjun chuckled, hanging back to walk with her and letting his friends go up first. "How was your day?"

"Not bad," she answered, "I'm going to take a wild guess and say yours was great?"

"I love this time of the year."

"I can definitely see that." She replied holding his eyes. He loved any opportunity that brought the entire family together. That much, she did know about him without a doubt.

He questioned, "Are you sure you want to be here, Sanam?" Just this morning, she was running and wanting to avoid him and now, here she was.

"Why not?"

"I mean you still have an exam tomorrow. You don't have to feel like you need to be here. If you want to go back and study..."

She placed her hand on his arm and stopped him as they reached the top of the stairs. "I'm exactly where I want to be." She smiled into their locked gaze, "Now come on, you have to teach me how to play this FIFA so I don't embarrass myself in front of your friends."

~

authors note;

Her giving in begins :) Recognizing the things she really wants, the people she feels happy around. Unedited. Please point out any errors if you see them. I added this chapter last minute as there needed to be a transition for what happens next and I wanted Valentines update to be a happy one ;)

Speaking of, wish you all a very happy valentines! Go spread some love & let people you love know that you love them!! <33