Holding Ira's hand in his, Ehan walked ahead with Ira trailing behind him, looking around in confusion. They crossed the artificial pond he took her that day and reached his garden. The Sun has set and darkness spread it's wings all over the sky.

"Where are we going, Ehan?" Ira repeated her question, getting nothing as answer but silence. She was adoring the beauty of the greenery surrounding them until they reached a huge swimming pool.

"Ehan..." She whispered, stopping him from going further.

"It's somebody else's property, we shouldn't be roaming here" she said, looking around.

She could see the watchman watching them from the gate at a distance. She wondered why isn't he's restricting them. She tilted her head to spot a couple of cars parked at the other side. Turning around, she took a step back and looked at the mansion behind Ehan, which stood huge and proudly at the centre. One side of it was the garden and pond, the other side was car parking, opposite to which was a swimming pool. Trees and plants could be seen everywhere, which added to the beauty of the mansion. She realised that Ehan's cottage was behind it and both the places were connected.

"Why are we here?" She asked, looking up at Ehan, who was looking back at her with his slightly puffy and red eyes from crying. She could sense his nervousness and the fear which he was trying to mask.

He didn't say anything but looked down. Not leaving her hand, he silently started walking into the house; his house. She narrowed her eyes in confusion.

"Who's place is this? And why are you taking me in?" She asked in whispers, refusing to get into the house as he pushed the large brown wooden doors open.

"I'll tell you everything. Let's go in first" he said, trying to maintain a straight tone but inside, he was trembling. There was no point in hiding or delaying now. He was tired of all those lies. He wanted to come clean as soon as possible.

He stepped in, closely followed by Ira. She was stunned to look around the spacious hall. The floor was shiny black, reflecting the dim rays of flush mount and semi flush mount lights at the ceiling. She looked up, gasping at the huge twinkling chandelier surrounded many small ones. There was a plush sofa placed on the centre of the hall with a coffee table. There were several vases containing beautiful flowers; synthetic as well as natural on either sides of the sofa, coffee table and beside the full length windows. Beside that was an open kitchen and she could say, it was bigger than Ehan's room at his cottage. There were 4 closed doors on either side of the vast staircase.

Once she was done taking in her surroundings, she turned to face Ehan, who was quietly staring at her, mentally preparing himself.

Before she could question, he spoke, "This is my house. I live here".

His voice was clear and audible, still she didn't got anything.

"Huh?"

"I was lying when I said I live in that cottage. That's mine but I don't live there. And I'm.. I'm not an orphan. My parents are alive" he confessed, his heart throbbing and so is hers. The look on her face after hearing him made him want to stop right there and divert the topic but he held himself firm, gathering all his courage.

"Ehan, what are you sayin.."

"This is the truth, Ira" she was still confused. Nothing was making sense to her.

"You're kidding, right?" She asked hopefully, stepping ahead to hold his jacket. He shook his head as no, holding her hands over his chest.

"Ehan, please stop it if you're kidding. I'm scared" she said at the verge of crying. She didn't even belived him yet and her eyes showed how betrayed she felt. He cupped her cheeks and said, "I'm not kidding, Love".

She pleadingly looked at him, as if begging to stop this prank and take her back home.

"I'm sorry, Ira" he said, hoping her to understand. He could see panick raise in her eyes as her hands shivered and loosen their hold on his jacket. She slowly pulled her hands back and stepped back. Her eyes accusing him.

"Ira, listen..."

"You're sorry?. What do you mean you're sorry? And what are you even saying? Nothing is making sense to me" She spoke in disbelief, crying. It was too much for her to take in.

A few minutes ago, she was the happiest person on earth as he confessed his love for her and now, she felt broken, stabbed and betrayed.

"Ira, lemme explain" he took a step ahead and she took a few behind, yelling, "Explain what, Ehan? Are you going to tell me, how fun it was to build up those lies and feed me? I still couldn't believe anything" She cried.

"No" he shook his head. His eyes filled with tears and he didn't bothered stopping them from flowing.

"I'll tell you everything. Just listen to me" he held her by her shoulders, only to be pushed away, "I don't wanna hear anything. I wanna go home" she ran a few steps but he pulled her back, forcing her stop.

"Ehan, lemme go" she screamed, struggling to free her hands from him.

"You just promised you won't leave me" he screamed back which only made her struggle more.

"Ira, please. Don't go. Lemme explain you everything" He fell on his knees, not letting go of her hands, "Just give me a chance and listen to my reasons. I promise, I'll do as ever you say after that. Please" he begged, crying harder.

It brought him the bitter memories of him being sent away to boarding school despite his protests and the times his Mom would visit him and leave without taking him with her. He was experiencing the similar pain, the same fear but it was more hurtful this time. He could feel as if his insides were being torn apart.

Seeing him this vulnerable melt Ira's heart. She stopped struggling in his hold and looked in his teary eyes. He was quick to hug her stomach, scared of letting her go. He was crying like a baby and it pierced her heart to bleed. She hesitantly hugged him back, trying to calm him. His heart wrenching cries made her think of the hardships he might have gone through which she have no idea about, which was the only thought which made her give in to his pleadings.

---

Ira's eyes welled up with tears as she looked around Ehan's room. It was dimly lightened but she could see everything clearly. From the King sized bed at the centre of the room to the study table on one of the corners, from the walk in closet to the spacious balcony and French windows, from furnitures to the carpets, every single thing screamed luxury in his place. She clenched her fist to keep herself from crying again and running away.

Ehan held her hand and made her sit on the edge of his bed, himself kneeling on the carpeted floor. She refused to meet his teary eyes, looking elsewhere.

He took in a deep breathe and started, "I wasn't the same as a kid. I was naughty, who used to talk without stopping for hours, I used to play with other kids, I used to have fun making a number of friends. I was good at landing myself in trouble since there was no one to guide me. I was neglected by my parents since childhood. I don't remember spending a single day with them. They were always busy extending their business, leaving me with my nanny. I felt ignored and unattended, especially by Dad. He used to treat me like..." He grit his teeth looking elsewhere, not finding an appropriate word to explain his Dad's behaviour towards him. Ira curiously looked at him, wanting to know further.

"I could see the dislike for me in his eyes, I can feel it in his words. I never had the courage to talk to him due to his behaviour towards me. I always used to demand some time and attention from Mom. But she's good in making promises and forgetting them. They had no time for me but they somehow used to manage to squeez out a little time for my elder brother but for me, never. I questioned Mom about it once and she said, they'll give me equal importance if I be a good boy and study harder. I tried, I tried very hard. It wasn't easy though. A day came when my Dad got me a gift; a remote control car. I was the happiest person in earth to receive a gift from my Dad for the first time. I was so happy that I made a card for him, quoting some praises and went to keep that in his study. Mistakenly, I dropped water over some of his documents. I still remember the hard slap I got from him in return"

Fresh tears roll his down cheeks as he reminisced that incident. It was the most painful memory of his life. He regretted his idea of making his Dad a card as a 'thank you' gift for the car he got fit him.

"Abhi, have you lost it?" Ehan's Mom screamed at his Dad, helping the crying little Ehan to stand up.

"Look what he has done" his father screamed back, pointing at the dripping documents. Ehan wrapped his little hands around his Mom's legs, sniffing. He was too scared to even look at his roaring father.

His mon let out a disappointed sigh, holding her head. Removing his hands, she knelt infront of him and asked, "What did you do, Ehan? Why you came here at the first place?" she was clearly disappointed. He could sense that in her tone

"I.. wanted to... give this card to Dad" he said between his sobs, looking around for the card he made.

His father groaned frustratedly and it scared him. He quickly hugged his Mum, hiding his face in the crook of her neck.

"I can't take this anymore, Nisha. We have to make a decision" he heard his Dad say in exasperation.

Ehan know what he's talking about, which made him hug his Mom even more tighter. She soothingly patted his back and nodded, which made him break the hug and cry, "I'm sorry, Mamma. I won't do this again. I'll be a good boy. Please don't sent me away. I'm sorry Daddy. I promise, I'll be a good boy" he turned to his father and cried harder.

"You say this every damn time" his Dad roared, making him flinch and clinge to his mother. She shushed his Dad, trying to stop him from crying. Carrying him in her arms, she took him to his room.

"Mamma, I don't wanna go away. Mamma, please" Ehan held her hand as she made him lay on his bed and tried to leave after kissing his forehead.

She sat beside him and without uttering a word, she kissed his little hand in hers. This gesture of his Mom gave him a content feeling.

He thought she was gonna talk to his father and convince him but the very next day, he was sent to boarding school, despite of his cries and pleadings.

He sighed sharing the bitter memory.

"I started studying harder. I tried not to be naughty and create problems which would bother Mom Dad. I did everything Mom asked me to do, so they could take me back home. Everytime my Mom came to visit me, I was so hopeful that she'll take me with her but no. She'd tell me that she'll be back after a meeting but it was just an excuse for her to leave. I was such a fool that I used to believe it every damn time" he shook his head with a bitter chuckle and looked up at Ira, who was crying with him.

"I used to visit my parents in holidays. Those were the happiest days for me. But I had no idea that they dislike me so much that they couldn't bear my presence even for a month in an year. Within a few years, they built me this house with everything I will ever need. So I wouldn't bother them in anyway. They arranged some caretakers, workers and a lawyer, just in case I involve myself in any sort of illegal activity.

Mom visited me last year, not because she wanted to meet me, but because she had a meeting to attend but her flight was postponed due to bad weather. I just saw her from afar and left, not wanting to hear the same excuse again. I'm sick and tired of being rejected"

Ira gulped, letting her tears fall after hearing him. Ehan didn't realise he was crying as well until Ira wiped his tears with her soft thumb. He held both her hands in his, "When I met you, you started assuming things on your own, like I'm an orphan and I live in that cottage. I strangely felt content to have someone who isn't hired by my parents to be with me. It was nice to be treated equally. I didn't realise when you became so important to me that I started lying again and again to keep things going the way they were" he said the last sentence with so much honesty that she just couldn't bring herself to blame him for the betrayal she felt.

"You should have told me earlier" she complained in a small voice.

"I'm sorry. I thought of confessing it a lot of times but I was scared of your reaction. I was scared that you'll hate me. I was scared that you'll leave me even before listening to me. I was scared of every little thing which might snatch you from me. I don't wanna lose you" he whispered the last sentence, bringing his face closer to hers. She unintentionally nuzzled against left cheek, running her fingers through his silky soft hair. She remained still for a few seconds before harshly pulling away.

"We're too different, Ehan. Now I know why that Helmet used to taunt me about Amber's status" Ehan panicked again and held her arms before she could move, "Ira, I don't need any of this. My parents money, their status, their name, I need none of these. I trust in my abilities and I don't need my parents' fortune to prove myself. I'll leave everything, every little things and live the way you wish me to. I promise" she gulped the lump formed in her throat, blinking her tears. Whereas he made no efforts to stop himself from breaking down.

"I'll do as ever you say but don't leave me. I swear I'll go crazy without you" he cried, his eyes begging her.

As much as she wanted to push him away and leave, she couldn't bring herself to do that. There were too many minuses in accepting his reality and still being with him but the only positive thing being his love for and hers for his, made her keep aside every negative thought and hug him to her heart. He choked in her arms, which only made her pull him even more closer, trying to sooth his pain.

---

Sitting by the window, Ehan looked at the dark sky. It was the same window of his room by which he used to sit every night before Ira came to his life, trying to find atleast a single star in the sky. But today, he doesn't need it. The star of his life was in his arms, her cheek resting against his clothed chest and with her righth hand, she was gently patting over his serene heart. He has his both the hands wrapped around her, occasionally running his fingers through her smooth hair.

Both of them felt calm, serene and peaceful in eachother's embrace, wishing for the time to still and their love for eachother to grow unconditionally.

She lightly lifted her head and looked at him, who was already looking down at her. Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, he made a small smile appear on her lips. Bending his head a little lower, he ever so slowly and gently pressed his lips on her forehead, making her eyes close along with his own. He let his lips linger over her skin a for a good few seconds, turning her cheeks crimson.

"I love you, Ira" he whispered, lightly tracing his thumb over her soft cheek.

Straightening herself a little, she said, "I love you too... This much" she spread her hands as far as they could, showing him how much she loves him, making a hearty laugh escape his lips. She smiled widely at his happy face.

"Don't ever leave me, Ira. I love you too much to lose you" She could see moisture in his eyes. He wrapped her hands around his neck as he sneaked his hands around her waist.

"Don't worry, I love you too much to leave you. I don't care who you are and whom you belongs to. For me, you are Ehan; whom I'm madly in love with. I don't wanna bring anything between us, Ehan" she said, staring deeply in his eyes. He smiled thankfully and brought his face close to hers, rubbing their noses together.

She buried her face at the crook of his neck, holding his shirt in her fist. He smiled in satisfaction, wrapping his hands around her. He placed his chin over her head and caressed her cheek with his thumb, making her pat her hand over his heart. As seconds passed to minutes, Ira felt sleepy but her hand kept doing wonders to his once restless heart, settling his uneasiness. His eyelids begun to droop with every passing second. Without his knowledge, he slipped into a deep slumber without any drug after a long time as she became the cure to his every pain, longings and loneliness.

There were no worries, no pain, no insecurities and no suppressed emotions remained in them. It's just their beautiful reality now.

---

Assalamualaikum everyone,

How was the chapter?

Did Ira did it right by forgiving Ehan?

Should she have taken some time to forgive him?

Now that they're together finally, what should happen next?

Do lemme know your views and don't forget to hit the star.