SOHAM's POV

"One year since her death" my dad spoke while I sat opposite to him. 

I couldn't protect her. 

"Her presence made our day happy" he recalled. 

"I couldn't do anything to save her or your mom. I just couldn't lose you too. I might have manipulated the crime scene a bit to get you out.  You wanted to stand with the law and I went by the law I found convenient for me" He said.

"Dad, it's over. Please don't make yourself sad over it." I said.

"First her then your mom. Then you. Within three months I have lost everything. I could get only you back. I don't want to lose you anymore." with that said he cried making my heart clench with pain. 

No! It's not your responsibility to protect us. It was mine too, I failed too!

"Dad! Don't cry! It's not your mistake! Bad things happen in our life... We just couldn't deal with it." I said walking over to him.

"I am sorry, I never gave you a normal life after those incidents." he apologized for no reason.

"Dad! Please! Look at me! I am having a normal life. No one knows what has happened to me. You are worrying for no reason now.  " I said making him look at me. 

"Dad, please. Stop it" I said kneeling and hugging him.

"I am happy, you have been like a strong pillar for me. I was glad, you were in jail.. You were safe there.  I am so happy to have you back." he smiled wiping his tears. 

"Stop crying now. Your son is happy, found his happiness and does anything to have it" I replied making him smile.

"I can guess who that happiness is" he winked making me blush. 

"I will meet you after some time Dad. Need to go somewhere" I said walking out of his office. 

I smiled. I was happy. Never talked with my dad at this level. He was not strict nor hot-headed.  We never had heart-to-heart talks or discussions about anything.  Whatever time I had with my mom, she was naughty compared to my dad.  He never uttered a single word when she teased him or made fun of me. I guess all this while, he was enjoying our company and feeling happy to be with us.  Sometimes I feel I am just like him but now I don't want to be like that.  I want Aahu to know about it,  and know my intentions towards her and my life too. 

My phone rang making me crunch my brows together. 

Why is he calling me now?

"So you remember your friend now?"  he spoke as soon as I answered him.

"Yes Dhruv, I can't forget someone like you" I smiled opening my car door.

"I thought you would inform me that she's safe and you are happy to have me in your life.  Psst!  It's OK I can manage with this.  Not new! " he fakes sulking according to me.

"Thanks, man.  Because of you, I had a good night's sleep with dreams of her " I replied chuckling a bit.

"The guy whom your dad suggested is related to him" he said making me worried. 

"That means, there was some plan going on to trap her " I said starting my car.

" You didn't ask me to dig up but I did because I am your only friend who thinks of himself as Sherlock Holmes and it's exciting to find out things" he continued. 

" What do you want to say?" I asked him.

"You can start with thanks and end with whatever you want to end " he said making me laugh.

" It's OK.  Bye" With that said he disconnected my call.  I drove to the place where we both sat.  I was a bit late.  Walking briskly to that place I was surprised to find her sitting there waiting for me.

"You do remember this place? " I spoke making her Jump in her place.

" Sorry" I apologized to which she smiled.

"Did I interrupt your deep thoughts?"  I asked her.

" No. I was just enjoying this cool breeze " she said smiling at me.

"Rainy season will start now.  I think it's time for us to bring out raincoats and travel on bicycles" I tried to joke she just smiled at me again. 

"How was your day?" I asked her.

"I don't know. Went to college.  Came back home to find my parents praising you.  It's like wherever I go I get to hear only about you" she said making me smile.

"At college too?" I asked her.

" Yeah. You will be attending some lecture this weekend and we were all given instruction to be present there." she said. 

"Yes, I have to prepare for that." I replied. 

A cool breeze flew past us making me look at her involuntarily.  She tied her hair,  and braided it neatly without leaving even a few strands.  She is one fine lady,  I don't understand why he her to destroy.  She has not done any harm or can do in the future.  Just simple women with highly respected jobs and happy or sometimes troubling families.

"You staring at me is kinda new " she suddenly spoke.

"Nothing" I replied.

"What do you want to talk about?" she asked me.

"I wanted to ask you a few things and tell you a few more. Is it OK?" I questioned her.

"What is it?" she asked me.

"Did you meet any guy at our orphanage?? One year back to be precise. I mean anyone who came and spoke to you about kids and our organization randomly? " I asked her.

"I don't remember. No one talks with me except people who work there and aunty.  Why do you ask me this?" she has a confused expression on her face. 

"Did anyone approach you asking how kids are taken in? Maybe talked with you about how well our organization is?"  I questioned her again.

"I don't quite remember anything Soham. What happened?" she asked with a worried tone. 

"No, I was just checking up on you.  It's not safe to talk with strangers like that.  If you meet any such person.  Ask them to contact their aunt and leave from there or call me immediately.  There were incidents in City where people approach, manipulate, and take them away to sell them " I said thinking of her.

"But you asked me about incidents about one year ago." she questioned me.

"They are searching for a guy who had approached people, if you remember anything let me know.  Although we checked through CCTV footage.  We couldn't find anything." I said looking at her.

"Oh! He might be involved in many cases then. I will warn my colleagues silently and keep an on child too.  It's better if you tighten security and procedures to meet kids.  What do you say? " she asked me.

"Frankly Aahu,  if I do it immediately all will get scared. I have installed extra cameras. Security has been increased. The only thing which I couldn't handle is an increase of procedures to meet kids or spend time with them" I said.

" Yeah, I know.  We ask for identifying proofs. I will talk to my aunt about it.  She might understand if I tell her. Don't worry I won't reveal that some creepy guy is causing trouble.  Why unnecessarily frighten old soul?  " she smiled looking at the calm sea before us.

So many colors,  so many variations.  Within minutes clear blue sky has turned into artist's creation.  A mixture of many colors depicts the mood I am in,  with her words,  from worry to happiness to pride,  I feel every emotion out of which I can proudly say my love for her has doubled at this very moment just like how dark pinkish shade has dominated the sky. 

"Is that all you wanted to say?" she asked me.

I looked at her.

Is she blushing or it's the reflection of the sky? Or I am imagining something else? 

She turned towards me raising her eyebrows and asking me what happened

"Marry me Aahu. Please." I spoke gathering all the courage I had in me. 

It's now or never!

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