"Aakash! What? ... What happened to Musky?" His Mother, Sunaina asked when he entered inside with Musky in his arms

"I'll tell you Maa, first she needs change of clothes" He straight away headed to Muskaan's room while she followed behind

Akash settled Musky on bed who was sleeping, Payal hurriedly came forward with a towel and Muskaan's night dress while he snatched it from her hand and gave the same to his mother who was now, sitting beside Musky.

"Maa. Will you?" His mother took the dress from him not noticing Akash's anger towards his wife.. while, he went away, leaving his mother to heal Musky

....

"Arnav? When did you came? And Why, no one informed me?" asked his Father, Arvind who had came out hearing some commotion

But No reply came from Arnav as he was lost in what Happened before sometime

"Bhai? Are you alright?" Akash had asked him as soon as the car stopped with a screech, breaking his stupor

"Ya" he whispered in shock, still clearing his vision to see Muskaan staring back at him

"It's better we move to home, soon.. do you want me to drive?"

"No. I'll manage" Arnav started the car again with a confused mind

What was that?

He bet, that wasn't his hallucination..! How can imagination be, this real?

Akash picked a sleeping Musky in his arms, after he parked the car in front of their home and Payal followed behind them. Where as, Arnav just sat there for a while, staring at the seat which was occupied by his daughter, not before few seconds. He touched the coat which Akash had discarded before picking Musky .. he then, wore it himself to feel the warmth .. coming out of the car, he asked the driver to park it and came in.

"Arnav? How come you are with them? And what Happened to Musky? Did you say something to that child?" his mother came from nowhere and questioned him with rage

Seems she's angry on seeing her granddaughter's state. Well, he's no better.

"I'll tell you, Maa" it was Akash's voice who came from behind and stood beside his brother

"What happened to our Musky?" His dad came forward displaying shock

"Where's Payal?" asked Akash after not finding her around

"She's with Musky. I asked her to.." his mother told in a hurry so that they can come to main point but she was interrupted by Akash's loud voice

"Ramu Kaka" The caretaker came running panicked on hearing Akash's scream who otherwise is gentle

"Yes sir?" He asked with fear thinking he did some blunder

"Ask Payal to come here and you stay with Musky" The servant nodded and scurried away

"Akash, first tell us what's happening?" His mother turned him towards herself

"Ask her Maa. Ask your bahu what she has done with Musky?" He angrily blurted

"Payal?" His dad was more confused

"Yes... Ahh There she comes" He saw Payal standing stiff, near a pillar

"Payal? beta, what is Akash talking about?" Asked his Father

She stood numb, lowering her eyes

"Tell us Payal .. what happened?" His mother asked holding her arm

"I'll tell you, Maa" Akash told with snide

"She took Musky to a shady place, to perform some stupid ritual"he told in an accusing tone

The atmosphere in the living room was tense as Akash, Arvind and Sunaina faced Payal, their expressions a mixture of concern and anger. Payal stood before them, her eyes downcast, knowing she had a lot to answer for.

Akash's voice was laced with barely contained fury as he demanded, "Payal, how could you do this? How could you take such a drastic step without even consulting me, why did you take Musky to that place? What were you even thinking?"

Payal took a deep breath before responding, her voice trembling slightly. "I... I thought Muskaan was possessed"

"What? Payal, Are you out of your mind?" Screamed Akash

"Akash, She's been behaving strangely, talking to herself, and Mrs. Sethi even said she saw her in the park having conversations with... her own self.. and"

"Payal, that doesn't justify your actions! She's just a kid and kids are tend to do such behaviour. Its us, who has to care for them. And what did you say? Mrs.sethi told you? Why in the first place, you listened to the crap she said? Haan?" Akash was so disappointed

"Payal, atleast you could've told me about it, why you took such a big desicion? I can't imagine how you believed whatever Mrs.sethi told you.. I didn't expect this from you! I know you love and care for her, but this? " Sunaina cried

"Maa.. Please, listen to me.. Not only Mrs.sethi, but I also noticed few things" Payal justified getting stern look from her husband

"What do you mean?" Asked Arvind

Payal explained how musky was adamant about the photo of Arnav khushi which she didn't even knew existed.. how she knew about the exact place where it was kept and upon asking, musky replied her mother told her about it.

Arvind's brows furrowed in confusion. "What? But Khushi..."

Sunaina's voice broke as she interrupted, tears welling up in her eyes. "We failed her, Arvind. We failed Muskaan. She's yearning for her parents' love, and we couldn't give it to her." 

Arnav, who had been standing silently in the corner, felt a pang of guilt shoot through him at his mother's words. He knew he had been distant, burying himself in work to cope with the loss of Khushi, but hearing his mother's pain brought it all crashing down on him.

Arvind's confusion slowly turned to sorrow as he realized the depth of Muskaan's longing for her parents' love. His gaze shifted to Arnav, his eldest son, whose silent presence spoke volumes. Arnav's internal turmoil was evident as he grappled with the guilt of neglecting his daughter in his grief.

Akash's anger flared once again as he turned his gaze back to Payal. "Taking Muskaan to an occultist was reckless and foolish! You know how fragile she is right now."

Payal's shoulders slumped in shame as she nodded, unable to meet Akash's accusing stare.

Arnav remained silent, his heart heavy with guilt and grief. He knew he had failed Muskaan, just as he had failed Khushi. But the pain was still too raw, too overwhelming for him to confront.

As the weight of the situation settled over them, the family sat in a heavy silence, each grappling with their own emotions and the realization of the damage that had been done to Muskaan. It was a painful reminder of the consequences of their actions, or lack thereof, in the face of loss.

Sunaina stood before Arnav, her eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and determination. She could see the pain etched into every line of her son's face, the weight of grief bearing down on him like a suffocating blanket. But she knew that they could no longer afford to wallow in their own sorrow, not when Muskaan needed them the most.

"Arnav," she began, her voice gentle yet firm, "it's time to come out of your grief. Enough damage has been done to Muskaan, and we can't afford to neglect her any longer."

Arnav's shoulders tensed at his mother's words, his heart clenching with guilt and remorse. For the first time in seven years, he felt the weight of his failure as a father bearing and crushing down on him. The image of Muskaan, vulnerable and lost, flashed before his eyes, followed by the haunting memory of Khushi's face as if asking him, why he is not there for their daughter when she needs him the most? "

Tears welled up in Arnav's eyes as he whispered brokenly, "I tried, Maa. I tried to hold on to Khushi, but I... I couldn't."

Sunaina's heart ached at the sight of her son's pain. This is the first time she heard Arnav taking Khushi's name in seven years, confronting his past but she knew that they couldn't afford to dwell on their previous mistakes. "I know it's been hard, Arnav. But Muskaan needs you now more than ever. No amount of our love can compensate for the love of her parents. Only you can heal her."

Arnav's resolve wavered as he struggled to come to terms with his own grief and guilt. He had been dead inside ever since Khushi left him, drowning in a sea of despair and loneliness. But seeing Muskaan in her current state, he realized that he couldn't continue to ignore the pain of his daughter any longer. Khushi Wouldn't want their daughter to be this way.

With a heavy heart, Arnav nodded, his voice barely a whisper as he vowed, "I'll try, Maa. I'll try to be there for her, no matter what it takes."

Sunaina enveloped her son in a comforting embrace, her heart swelling with hope for the future. She knew that the road ahead would be difficult, filled with challenges and obstacles. But as long as they faced them together, as a family, she believed that they could overcome anything.

As the family was grappling with their emotions and the weight of their past, Ramu Kaka hurried in, his face flushed with urgency.

"Sir, Ma'am," he began, addressing Arvind and Sunaina, "Muskaan bitiya... she's awake."

Arnav's heart raced in his chest as he felt a flicker of hope ignite within him, mingled with a deep-seated fear of how he will face Muskaan.

Without a word, the family followed Ramu Kaka to Muskaan's room. As they entered the room, they found Muskaan sitting up in bed, her eyes wide and filled with confusion.

"Musky" Sunaina called out softly, her voice trembling with emotion, "how are you feeling, beta?"

Muskaan's gaze flickered around the room, her brow furrowed in fear and confusion "Where... where am I?"

Sunaina's heart clenched at the sight of her granddaughter's confusion, her own eyes brimming with tears. "You're at home, Muskaan. You're safe now."

As if on cue, Muskaan's eyes widened in recognition, her gaze fixing on Sunaina's tear-streaked face. "Where's Maa?" she whispered, her voice barely a breath.

The room fell silent as the weight of Muskaan's words hung heavy in the air. Sunaina's breath caught in her throat as she struggled to find the right words, her heart torn with sorrow.

Arnav felt a lump form in his throat as he watched his daughter from far corner of the room, his mind racing with a whirlwind of emotions. For the first time in seven years, he allowed himself to hope, to believe that maybe, just maybe, they could find a way to heal the wounds of the past.

But even as hope blossomed within him, Arnav knew that they faced a daunting task ahead. How could they explain to Muskaan the truth of her mother's absence, the pain and grief that had haunted them all these years?

As the family stood in silence, grappling with their dilemma, Arnav felt a surge of determination wash over him. No matter what it took, he vowed to be there for Muskaan, to help her navigate the complexities of her past and find a path to healing.

_________________________

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Love, Uzma ❤