AAHANA'S POV

Nothing happened the next day.  He was at home spending time with me.  No call or message he answered.  Three of us visited my parent's house and spent time there.  He even took us all out for dinner.  I did not see him answering his phone nor his phone ring.  Today he's planning to take me a hill station as the weather is good.  I wanted to ask him what he's hiding now.  If he had proof against Bhargav why is he not going after him? 

" It's raining outside " he said getting frustrated.

" We will go some other time.  From tomorrow you are starting college right? " he asked me.   I nodded my head as yes.

"How's Chitra doing? They have exams right? " he asked me.

" Yes. It's getting over today maybe we can meet her and go out " I suggested. 

" We will see. " he said opening his laptop to finish his work. 

Days passed we both were busy in our own jobs and spending time with each other that I forgot about those messages Druv sent him. 

" I am going to be late today.  Dont wait for me.  Have food.  " he said kissing my forehead.  He took his office bag and walked out without looking back. 

Something is off. 

Not being able to sit quietly.  I called up my college asking for leave.  Following his car I saw that he wasn't traveling to his office.  Dhruv got into his car with a man and they had a discussion for about ten minutes.  I waited patiently wanting him to move.  Don't know when we went outskirts but he was not stopping. It looked as if they were following someone. 

Why am I being secretive? 

I will let myself know that I followed his car. 

Aahana!  Why do you need to poke your finger everywhere?

As I sped my car to let him know,  someone passed by me and Chitra was sitting inside it! Not understanding what exactly was happening here I got down as they walked into some house. Everything looks scary now.  I should at least text Soham that I followed him and found Chitra instead.  Not being able to find out where Soham is and due to lack of signal,  I followed Chitra who was with a man.  They were not forcing her,  it looked as if she was willingly going there.  There's a small rock and I sat on it thinking what should be done now.  I came here thinking of myself as some Sherlock Holmes but got stuck royally!

When I looked around I found this place is quite isolated but it's on the highway.  No one will care to look at the house which is a bit far from here.  Kicking at rocks near my foot, I laughed at the situation I was in.  Since the day I got married,  I don't know what exactly happening in my life. 

Married to Mysterious Man!

I heard the engine roaring to life and hid myself behind bushes to avoid whoever is coming out of the house.  Deciding not to stay here and get bitten by some venomous snake,  I walked towards the house hoping to find some place to hide. 

I might as well get caught. 

It was a small house built with wooden planks and bricks.  I wanted to take pictures of it and post it as I found it extremely cute.  As I walked around I found the back door and the detective in me wanted to just get in

" I told you,  everyone close to you will be thrown away. " heard someone Talking.

" Do whatever you want to,  I will make you end this.  " I heard Soham replying to him.

When did he enter?

" You cannot safeguard everyone Soham.  Chitra here wants to be one of us. I am happy she chose this.  You have killed my brother,  now look how I will destroy everyone around you one by one.  " I heard that same person talking. 

" You never had any brother.  " Soham said calmly.

" Whatever it is,  your mother took me away when I knew I had a sibling to look after.  How cruel that can be Soham?  Then I get the News that my baby sibling is dead.  Why didn't your mom save that child?  She brought me into that orphanage because she's selfish and wants to impose her wishes on the children present there.  I am giving them freedom!  Freedom from people like you! " Bhargav shouted making me flinch.

How come Chitra decided to be with him?

" You had no brother. " Soham repeated. 

" I know you Soham! When you first told me I don't have a brother I believed you. Guess what?  I have done my own research . " he laughed.  It was deadly.

" I had a sister. She's alive " he stated.  The whole room went silent.  I waited for someone to react or tell me who that sister was.

" You can't take her away from me!  I will not allow a monster like you to do that!  She's the only person I love most after my mother! " I heard Soham shouting. 

Who is she?  Is he talking about me? "

" Aahana is definitely going to come back to her brother.  Her own family. Not with you " he shouted. 

I am his sister???  How can I be?!  My parents did not give birth to anyone other than me!  They are certainly not the type of people who would leave their own. 

All were silent.  I walked a bit further trying to look for Soham.  There were no men only Soham,  Bhargav, and Dhruv. Chitra was standing a bit far from everyone. 

" The day I found out about her,  I stopped threatening you.  Wanted to kill her to torture you but then I thought why not create distance between you both?  I will have bloody satisfaction doing it! " he laughed. 

My foot!   Why will I go back to him??  He's stupid to think I will leave my love for someone who doesn't value relations? 

Wait!  Love?

Did I think about this word or is it my feelings for him have changed?

" You will rot in jail!  We have come here to warn you to stay away from us. But I don't think you will ever change " Dhruv said gritting his teeth. 

" His friendship for me got you people here, right?  After all who can be like the great Soham?  He knows how to stand up for the people he loves.  He loves our friendship so much that he can't get me arrested or prove me guilty.  " he spoke getting up from his chair. 

" I want to meet my sister.  Want her to know that I have always loved her.  Will love her even if she doesn't want me as her brother. I do know the value of relationships Soham.  I know how painful it is to look at you and smile at your mom while I sit there yearning for the same care and affection " he said.

" Mom loved you equally.  You are the one who differentiated it.  I should say she took care of you more than me " Soham replied. 

" That's because I am an orphan.  I will never forgive her for taking away my little sister from me," he said.

" Aahana?! " Chitra called out looking shocked at my presence.  Immediately Soham ran and took me in his arms,  protecting me from Bharagav who was eyeing me carefully. 

" Why the hell you came here??" he whispered holding my face in his hands. 

" I was just playing the I Spy game " I joked making him chuckle.

" Go back home.  This is not safe for you.  " he said seriously

" I heard him.  It's OK.  " I replied walking around facing him.  The brother who never existed for me until now.  Soham's phone rang continuously.

" Hello " Bhargav greeted smiling a bit. 

I can see the resemblance,  we both have the same eyes and nose.  If I could crop my hair,  I would probably look like him.

" I don't care if we are siblings or not.  You can never be my brother.  For the things you have done,  I would never do it if I were you.  Even if we were together I would gladly opt to disown you.  You have played with Soham's emotions and his life.  I will not respect or even acknowledge you as my brother ever " I said out of anger.

" I knew this day would come " he said smiling a bit trying to pat my hair but I moved back and Dhruv came in front of me.

" Don't you dare touch her " he warned holding me protectively. 

" Move aside! " I heard someone shouting. Police barged in holding their guns while Soham stood in a corner looking at us. 

He's affected. 

They arrested him and I greeted the officer who allowed me to take classes in jail.  That young constable who flirted with me winked while going out.  I smiled at him.  I know all these people and felt happy that they gave chance to meet Soham and get to know him. 

" I will always love you " I heard Bhargav saying before they took him away.  Everything might have gone peacefully if it wasn't for my unnecessary interference.  Walking towards Soham,  I hugged to soothe him from the pain.  After all, he was his best friend once.  Being a very sensitive person,  he handled everything so well. 

" Chitra wasn't the one who was adopted.  I lied to you. I just couldn't let you go back to him.  Was so scared that you would leave me.  I wanted to protect you Aahu " With that said he broke down. 

" Your mom had a stillborn baby,  Bharagav was given up for adoption by the time his mother went into labor.  He just knew she was pregnant and due.  When you were born, your mom died and your dad didn't want you.  So you were given up for adoption immediately as you were weak.  I am really sorry Aahana!  I didn't mean to hurt you with the truth nor hold it in me.  " he apologized. 

" Soham!  I am here with you!  I don't even know that guy except that he killed your baby sister. It doesn't matter if I am adopted or given away or anything.  I never felt unwanted, or unhappy with you or with my parents. There's no point in even thinking that I will go back to him.  Why would I do that?  When I have my family and the person I love with me?? " I said wiping his tears. 

" You love me? " he asked me looking into my eyes.

" Just like how you love me! " I replied wiping his tears. 

" No one thanked me for helping you " Chitra interrupted making us laugh. 

" Group hug!!!! " Dhruv shouted holding us together.  After we had given our statement and some minor procedures,  we were allowed to leave the premises.  Soham asked Dhruv to take Chitra back home.  He held my hand all the time being extra protective towards me. It seems Chitra was lured to join Bhargav and help him manipulate other children.  She was wise enough to inform Soham.  With her help, they could trace him and get him arrested with all the evidence Dhruv and Soham collected. 

" Who was that lady? " I asked myself as we approached my car. 

" She's the one who works at an orphanage in the cooking section.  Her daughter had been missing the past few days,  she highly doubted that someone took her you know for trading " he trailed leaving me for my imagination.

" So did you find her? " I asked him.

" Yes.  Bhargav 's men took her when she was lost.  She is back home safely now. " he said opening my car door.

" Soham " I called out pulling at his hand.  He turned around a bit worried asking me what happened.

" I am sorry " I said tears welling up my eyes.

" Why??! " he asked wiping them away.

" You have done so much!  You love me so much that you have gone through so much for me. Not only for me,  for your mom, your baby sister, for the orphanage and the people in it!  You have been in constant battle to protect everyone and I couldn't even understand or recognize your intentions until now!  You have done this all because you love them to your core and see them as your own including me!  You have done this all in the name of love !" I said hugging him tight with tears flowing from my eyes

" All in the name of love Aahana " he said kissing my hair. 

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