I smile. After two hours of hardwork, it finally pays off. The royal blue walls of my bedroom, now seems livelier than they have ever been before. And why won't they, after all, the walls are now home for the many framed pictures of my baby girl, in some of the most beautiful outfits, clicked two days back.

I settle on my bed, admiring my daughter's photographs. She looks no less than a princess. Her biological parents were surely the most good looking pair to have reproduced an angel like Kiana. I do wish they were alive today, for Kiana. Because somewhere I do fear about the future, whether I'll be a good mother to Kiana or not, or whether she'll miss her biological parents despite being with me. I have heard, no matter what, biological parents are the real parents, who are impossible to replace with adoptive parents, even if they give their everything to the baby. Though, I now feel this statement isn't exactly true, still I have insecurities but I don't wish them to overpower me.

"Mumm," Kiana mumbles sleepily, tugging my shirt. She has woken up from her afternoon nap and now wants me to cradle her. I fulfill her wish and cradle her in my arms. She giggles lightly, then keeps her head on my shoulder and stay like that for some time.

When finally she gets over her sleepiness, she raises her head from my shoulder and looks at me. I smile at her. She smiles back her toothy smile, gazing at me with her doe like dark brown eyes, which somewhat seems similar to my brown eyes, something I'm very happy about. Even her blackish brown curls are very similar to my dark brown hair, her pink lips and her dimpled cheeks are just like mine, which makes her slightly resemble me. At least in a manner, we do look like a mother-daughter pair.

She places a watery kiss on my right cheek, something she loves to do when she's in a playful mood, that I've recently learnt. She pulls my cheeks, making her giggle and me as well.

These are the little moments, which makes it hard for me to believe that it's been just three weeks since Kiana has official become my daughter, a Vadehra now. Kiana's adoption procedure has been completed within three days of my arrival here. The police force had tried once more to find any suitable relative of Kiana's to keep her, but there was none, much for my relief.

Being in a gleeful mood, I start tickling Kiana, making her giggle even louder. Her giggles are no less than a soothing music to my ears. After the horrors of the human trafficking incident, it seemed slightly challenging to get back to my earlier life. Though, it actually is as now everyone know about that horrendous incident, thanks to the ever active media. But with Kiana's presence in my life, it seems easy like a cakewalk now. She's my calming factor, someone whose smile is enough to make me feel better and lighter.

"Gunnu, just one more morsel," I coax my daughter, feeding her chapatti with pulses. After playing for some time with me, she became hungry and I brought food to my room for feeding her.

She turns her face away, I think she's full now. But again, I put the morsel of chapatti in front of her mouth and she eats it in a uninterested manner, before turning her face in the direction opposite to me.

I keep the plate aside and make her drink water. She lies down on the bed, as if she has just completed a herculean task, and sighs. It makes her look even more adorable to me. Though she always look cute to me, her chubbiness is just admirable.

I chuckle, as she yawns and stretches her arms. But it doesn't seems to please her, as she frowns at me, before giving me a pout. I chuckle once more, then lie beside her. She climbs on to my stomach and lies there, pushing my arms to wrap her around. I do as she wishes and we both fall asleep soon after.

An hour or two later, I wake up to the buzzing sound of my phone. Kiana's still sleeping on my stomach, so I carefully pick my cellphone from the bedside table. Without seeing the caller ID, I receive the call as Kiana's sleep is getting disturbed.

"Hello," I say sleepily.

"Hi," comes the reply and I immediately guess who's it. Samay, my ex fiancé.

Well, yes, ex. Because after our fight, his parents had come to my house the very next day, demanding the truth about sudden my disappearance for several days. My parents, reluctant at first, told them the truth on my persuasion. The looks of shock, disgust, despise and the likes, were all directed at me and my baby girl. It did infuriate me, but I kept quiet, having faith in my parents that they, at least this time, won't make any compromise with their daughter's happiness.

They didn't. Though, initially, they had wanted the fight to get resolved, not wanting me to suffer through the trauma of a broken engagement right after I just returned home as a survivor of human trafficking. But this concern vanished soon, when Samay's parents requested (read ordered) a medical test of mine to confirm I hadn't been sexually exploited by (read involved with) anyone while I was with the traffickers.

This had angered my parents so badly that they didn't waste even a minute more in trying to sort out the issues. They had refuted all the allegations, but it was vain. It was so downright demeaning and awfully humiliating, that my parents demanded an apology from Samay's family, which of course we didn't get (like I thought they are that civilised).

Well, it was against their big fat egos to apologise for using foul language and insulting terms to address me and Kiana, for whom Samay's mother said that she would never allow her son to accept a child whose parentage is not well known. Though, it in a simpler manner meant that for them Kiana is actually my illegitimate child because of which I'm hells bend on adopting her. How airheaded could they be more?

It was the last nail on the coffin when they start talking ill about my character and badmouthing Kiana. Even Major Ved wasn't spared and his name was dragged into this for allegedly having an illicit affair with me. My mother couldn't bear more and had blasted at the Wahis, my father supporting her. It turned into a verbal altercation between my family and Samay's, and the next thing I knew was that the Wahis had left, with the 24-carat solitaire diamond ring that I was made to wear on my engagement by Samay. Honestly, I feel much elated after the burden of that tiny ring has been lifted off of me.

"What do you want now?" I demand, not caring about the polite societal norms of conversing with people on call.

"Can I meet you once? Please." he requests. Seriously, he's requesting me? When did this miracle happen, oh I know, just now!

"Why? What's left there for us to meet?" I surly reply. Though, I have no bad blood with him, but it's not easy for me to let go of the bitterness I feel for him and his family for insulting Kiana and her deceased parents. It was highly disgusting and derogatory, something I will never forgive them, for at least in this lifetime.

"Please, just once. I do deserve a closure." he pleads.

"Fine, just for half an hour," I answer and we decide the place. If not for having a proper closure, I wouldn't have agreed to go. Not after how his family had ignominiously tarnished my image and degraded my family's reputation by spreading rumours about my character being loose, my illicit relationship with Major Ved, and Kiana being my illegitimate daughter. All this just to tyrannize me and my family. It has affected me severely, upto a point that now I don't wish to marry ever. If this is how men are, future husbands to be specific, I'm better single.

I move out of the bed and get dressed, after which I dress Kiana up. I haven't taken her out for outing as well, so I can just turn this into an excursion for us. I pick my handbag, and walk out of my room.

"Where are you going, Anu? And with Gunnu?" my mother asks, who's sitting on the window couch in the living area. She's the one who has nicknamed Kiana, Gunnu, as she finds it a really cute name for my chubby daughter.

"Samay wants to meet me for one last time," I answer stoically. Of course there's no attachment with Samay, just despise.

"Why? Why does he want to meet you? Hasn't he and his family already insulted you and Gunnu enough that now he's asking you to meet him again?" my mother huffs. "And in what mind have you agreed to meet him? Have you forgotten everything?" she chides me.

"No, I haven't. But I do feel both Samay and I need a closure, an amicable one." I answer, "And besides, I haven't taken Gunnu out since last one week, so it'll be an outing for us as well."

My mother sighs and closes her book. I understand her state. She was awfully agitated when Samay's family abased me. From the woman, who had once chided her daughter for complaining about her fiancé, she had turned into a protective mother and had fought fiercely for her daughter's honour. Well, I love my mother, a lot more now!

"Fine," my mother says, getting up from you couch. "I anyway have to visit my friend, so I'll drop you on my way and will pick you up, after which we'll go shopping for Gunnu."

"Okay," I reply. This is just an excuse, I know well. It's just a precautious measure that my family has employed after the trafficking incident. They don't let me travel alone, now. One or the other member of my family always travels with me whenever I go out. I don't mind it, although it curbs my freedom slightly.

We walk out of the house and my mother takes the driver's seat. As I settle in the car, I see my neighbours glance at me with contempt in their eyes, then talking amongst themselves. This is a regular sight now, whenever I step out of my house or even in the hospital where I work. Although, my life is coming back to track, the stains of my tainted past and the theories surrounding it, will take some time to fade away. For more than the trafficking issue, it's the rumours about me that has done the damage and tarnished my image. And the sad thing about the society is, people prefer to not believe the victims, rather victims of any heinous crime, be it rape, molestation or trafficking, are always treated as the ones who are at fault and should be shamed. This makes me wonder what good is it to be in society, when all they do is support the culprit, and shame and oppress the victims.

"Don't pay attention to them, Anu," my mother pats my shoulder. I nod. Despite all the ignominy and contempt, the changes in my parents' behaviour is something I'm very elated about.

"I'll pick you up in 40 minutes," my mother tells me as I step out of the car, along with telling me to not tolerate any bullshit from Samay. I assure her I won't, and walk inside the cafe.

"Hi," I greet Samay, as I walk up to him. He's reached before me, and has been waiting in a corner table for me to arrive.

"Hello, Anu...shi." he wishes me back, I can sense his uneasiness. "Have a seat."

I settle down on the chair opposite to Samay, and make Kiana sit on a high chair that Samay has already asked the café manager to arrange for her.

"So, what do you want to talk about?" I ask straightforwardly instead of wasting my time. It's better to end it sooner.

"I wanted to apologise to you." he hangs his head low. Did I hear him right or it wasn't enunciated enough?

"What?" I blurt in astonishment.

"Yes, I wanted to apologise to you ... for ... everything; my oppressive behaviour with you, my family's shameful actions, and for tarnishing your reputation. I'm extremely sorry for everything. Please forgive me!" he sighs, as if he has just let go of a huge burden off his chest.

The look on his face and the depth in his eyes, speak volumes, showing his repentance and guilt. There isn't even a single sign of the Samay I've had known as my fiancé, this Samay is different from him, someone I find more humble and humane.

"I know you can't forgive me, and I'm not asking your forgiveness either. Because I know you won't be able to forgive me after what all I and my family have done with you. But if you can, then please do forgive me, at least it'll help me move on and somehow lessen my guilt. Yet, if you don't, I'll understand." he says, not making any eye contact with me now. I sit in quietude, unsure of reacting to his plea.

For the next ten minutes, we both sit silently. Even Kiana. Here I'm sitting in front of the guy, whose family hasn't left a single chance of ruining my image and disgracing my family's name, who himself has hurt me so much with his sexist ideologies and his dominating behaviour. And now he's asking me for forgiveness, does he thinks it's that easy to forget every humiliation, every insult, every snide remark, and forgive him? I don't know!

"It's okay, Anushi, if you don't wish to forgive me. I understand, like I said," he says halfheartedly. "Thank you so much for coming here and listening me out. Have a great life ahead ... with your daughter and your life partner, someone who'll understand and respect you, unlike me."

"I forgive you!" I say, as Samay starts to walk out of the cafe.

He halts on his track on hearing my voice and comes back to the table. The delight on his face on hearing these three words from me, quite obvious on his face.

"I forgive you, because I do feel there's no use of holding onto my past. It'll only damage my future, and will do no good to me. So, its better if I just give it a peaceful closure and move ahead in life." I tell him, looking right at his face, which seems to have gained its colour back.

"Thank you, thank you so much, Anushi!" Samay smiles, for the first time I feel good seeing him smile. I think it's the right decision, for both of us. I can't keep going on with the baggage of my past and broken relationship. Some day or the other, I have to drop it, so why not today?

"I should get going now." I say, picking up Kiana from the high chair. I don't think I should stay here more.

"I know it's a wishful thinking, but can you take me back? I still do love you, though I know I'm absolutely unworthy of a wonderful woman like you." Samay speaks, slight hope in his voice. Really?

"Maybe, if you were this Samay since the beginning, the one you're today, I would've taken you back. This Samay seems like the guy I would've liked to spend my life with. But the truth is, both of us know this is just an illusion, because the real you is sexist, selfish, self centred and egoistic. The one I dislike a lot, who couldn't even stand up for me when his family was talking shit about me. If you have loved me, you wouldn't have ever behaved the way you did with me during our courtship. And I can't forgive for that, ever. So, no, I can't take you back! This isn't something my heart or my dignity will allow."
Finally, I feel peaceful, after speaking out what my heart was craving to let out. I wanted to say more, but this is enough. My insides feel august now, with at last letting go of this final piece of my broken relationship.

"I understand, Anushi." Samay replies, after few minutes. "You were always an amazing fiancée, it was just I who was wrong and undeserving, all along. Anyway, thank you again for coming here and forgiving me. Hope you have a blissful life ahead. Goodbye."

"I hope the same for you, Samay. Goodbye!" I smile faintly, and walk out of the café without turning back once. Because I now cannot afford to stay acquainted with my past, it will only haunt me later.

When I reach the main entrance of the café, I find my mother waiting for me. I quickly wipe my tears and flash a fake smile to my mother, who doesn't inquire anything about my meeting with Samay. I'm grateful for it. Because I know, I won't be able to maintain my strong demeanour. True, I never loved Samay, but when my engagement broke with him, it did hurt me, because it was not pain the of losing a beloved, but of failing in the first ever relationship of my life. It was the pain of failure in relationship, and somehow that has been an unsettling experience.

"You okay, Anu?" my mother asks, when we reach the shopping mall. I've stayed quiet for the whole ride, and somehow I know my mother must've guessed from my face about emotional state.

"I'm fine, Mom. Chill!" I lie, plastering a smile on my face again. But I guess my mother knows it's fake. She ignores it, though.

"Okay, let's go then." she says and we both enter the elevator.

For over two hours, we roam around the entire mall. My Mom keeps rejecting the dresses I choose for Kiana, saying she only wants the best for her Gunnu, who merrily wave at every passerby and gets a smile in return.

After much coaxing, my mother agrees to buy some casual dresses for Kiana, then go shopping for stuffed toys for her. Once we get done with it, we have snacks and ice cream at the food court (my mother continually complaining about how unhygienic it is for her Gunnu!), before heading for home.

When we're halfway through our way to home, my mother receives an emergency call from hospital. Her patient has suffered a seizure and has been rushed to ICU. She's immediately needed there.

"I'll leave you here at this park. Call Pihu and ask her to pick you up, okay?" my mother says briskly when I close the door of the car.

"Don't worry, Mom, I will. Till the time Bhabhi will come, I'll take Gunnu for a walk around the park. I pakka won't travel alone." I assure her, "Take care of your patient. Bye!" I wave at her. Gunnu waves too.

My mother bids bye to us and leaves for the hospital. Once she leaves, I walk inside the park and look for an empty bench. I soon find one and settle on it. The weather is pretty cool, and me and my daughter both enjoy it.

But Kiana becomes bored after some time and gets down from the bench. A few kids are playing nearby us, she walks (read wobbles) up to them despite me trying to stop her. She's a stubborn kid, just like me!

The kids, I guess aged around 5-8 years, gathers around Kiana and starts interacting with her. She happily gets along with everyone and enjoys her time. I settle down back on the bench, while the kids continue to play with Kiana.

While she plays, I try to relax myself. Becoming a mother is a hard task, something I wasn't very aware of initially. But now that I am, it gets a little tiring for me. And to top it with the current situation of my messy life, it surely is exhausting. But I'm anyway loving it!

"Hello, Ms. Vadehra." I hear a familiar voice greet me. I know who's it.

"Hi, Major Ved Sahni." I wish back, looking up at Major Ved, who's standing in front of me. I sense a warm feeling engulf, before the scenes of our last conversation (or altercation) flashes in front of my eyes, infuriating me. I had tried my best to not think about him in last three weeks, but it was fruitless. Though, I had managed to control my feelings. But here he is, right infront of me, pushing all my efforts into drain.

"Will you mind, if I occupy the other half of the bench?" he asks, his impeccable army manners still enchanting me.

"Why will I? It's a public property, I'm not its owner." I shrug my shoulders, in a rather impolite manner.

He sighs and settles down beside me. One sensitive half of me wants to interact with him, to know about him, but the other sensible half strongly objects and refrains me from speaking even a word to him, reminding me of his cold behaviour. Though, I desperately want to know what he's doing here in this park.

"You're alone here? Kiana's not with you?" Major Ved asks, sounding hesitant. I don't spare him even a glance.

"That's none of your business!" I snap without caring a bit about how rude I sound now.

"Aunty, your baby fell down while playing with us." a girl of 8 years, comes to me holding Kiana, who's wailing loudly.

"Kiana," Major Ved coos, before I can even react. Kiana recognises him instantly and wriggles for him. He makes her sit on his lap and caresses her knee, which has turned red now.

"Uncle, you're her father?" a small boy asks Major Ved, but this time I answer before Major Ved can say anything.

"No, he's not. He's a family friend of mine." I reply to the kid. The kid looks surprised, as Major Ved and Kiana do look like a pair of father and daughter, in matching outfits. While Kiana's dressed in a baby pink tee with blue denim shorts, Major Ved's wearing a baby pink shirt and blue denim jeans. Same to same!

The kids wave bye to Kiana then leave from here. Kiana has stopped crying, but I will start weeping if I stay here in Major Ved's company for a single more second. I know well my feelings for him will surely conquer over the self control I'm exercising over them. I don't want that to happen.

So, I take Kiana from him, who wiggles to go back to him. But I control her and start strutting towards the road. Major Ved follows behind.

"Ms. Vadehra, at least for Kiana, stay here for some more time." he requests, walking behind me.

"Really? I think I had requested the same thing last time, but you hadn't paid heed to it. So why should I?" I huff, not stopping for once.

"Ms. Vadehra, I'm very sorry for that time," he says, sounding genuinely apologetic. But I don't care.

"Whatever!" I reply, and start looking for an auto rickshaw as I had forgotten to call my sister-in-law.

"Okay, if you don't want to stay here, then don't. But let me drop you home, please." he pleads, standing beside me. What's his problem? That day he was giving me a royal ignore, and today he's being his ever so helpful self. Seriously, he has some issues!

"Why?" I ask rudely.

"Because I want to help you."

"Out of sympathy, or pity this time?" I snap, remembering what he had told me last time.

"No, it's not out sympathy or pity, not this time, nor all those previous times I helped you." he says, embarrassed.

"Really, but I don't remember you saying this. Rather I remember you telling me that I was this random woman who you helped out of sympathy." I say, glaring at him. Kiana stares at us, confused, I guess. "So please, don't burden me with more favours from you, than I already am."

"I'm not doing any favours. I'm genuinely offering you my help. That's it! Why are you blowing it out of proportion?" Major Ved groans, folding his arms. I'm blowing it out of proportion?

I pass him a glare and start walking, as people are staring at us now. He too resumes walking.

"Anushi, why are you behaving like this? Why are you not replying to me?" he asks angrily, holding my arm.

"I'm just giving you the taste of your own medicine!" I retort, jerking his hand off my arm. "By the way, you're an officer so behave like one. Otherwise I'll shout and tell people that you're stalking me. And for you, it's Ms. Vadehra."

"What?" he appears bewildered.

"Yes, so don't follow me and get off my way," I warn him and continue to move. But he blocks my way and something in his face tells me he's on the verge of crying.

"Look, Anus--"

"Ms. Vadehra!"

"Okay, Ms. Vadehra, I know you're upset with me because of my behaviour with you that day, but it was necessary," he cries, his eyes only show his true feelings.

"Really? I don't understand how!" I reply, not looking at his eyes as my eyes are getting misty, too.

"Because I like you!" these words escape his lips as mere whisper, but with enough honesty that makes me look at him.
"I do like you, a lot. Not from last some days, but since the time I was 15! I used to have a crush on you. And I still do! That's why I was disappointed when I came to know about your engagement. I felt betrayed, because I thought you had unknowingly led me on. So I distanced myself from you to save myself from heartbreak, thinking it would help me. But I was wrong, very wrong. I incorrectly assumed everything and thought you were at fault, even when you weren't. I realised it after our fight that day. I'm really very ashamed of my behaviour. Please forgive me! I really can't take this aloofness of yours. Please!"

I stand, numb. Unable to think or feel anything, unaware of my surrounding. All I'm able to see is, Major Ved's face, paler than I've ever seen; and all I'm aware of is, what he has just confessed. Is this really true, or am I dreaming? I think it's true, Major Ved is still gazing at me, waiting for my response. I feel a sense of exhilaration rush over me.

"I think we should go home now, it's getting late," I say, resuming to move. Major Ved's face turns sullen, and he stays rooted to his place. I giggle. "Are you planning to stay here the entire evening? C'mon, I have to go home before Kiana becomes hungry again. And I tell you, it's not easy to calm a hungry Kiana."

In reply, he passes me a confounded look, but soon that changes as he sees me smile to him. I don't think I have to say anything now, he seems to have understood my answer.

"Sure, let's go," he replies after some seconds, walking besides me now.

We both get into his car and he soon drives to my home. Throughout the drive, he continues to steal glances at me, thinking I'm not noticing it. Well, I did.

We reach my home and I get down from the car. Major Ved steps out too. He walks upto me, vaguely nervous. I wonder what's making a robust officer like him nervous.

"So, Ms. Vadeh--"

"Anu!"

"Okay, Anu ... so, you like me, too?" Major Ved asks, with red cheeks. Now I know why his cheeks used to turn red whenever he used to interact with me while I was staying with his unit.

"What do you think?" I counter question him, grinning slyly.

"I think yes," he answers, scratching the back of his neck.

"Do you have any prior commitments for this evening that might keep you from spending it with me and Kiana?" I inquire coolly, quite nonchalant, though to be honest, I wish he doesn't have any engagements today.

"No, I'm free this evening," he promptly answers, giving me an ear-to-ear smile.

"Fine, then why don't you accompany me for a cup of coffee? We can have a good conversation over it and you can spend some quality time with Kiana as well," I suggest gleefully, Gunnu chirps in my arms, gibbering. "C'mon na, Major Ve--"

"Ved!"

"Okay, Ved, c'mon na answer fast, why are you contemplating it for so long? I'm requesting you to give me company for a cup of coffee, not asking you to marry me, though I'm not engaged to Samay anymore so you do have a chance!" I say, absentminded, then realise what I have just said. Oops!
"I--"

"You know what, whether I have a chance or not, we can discuss about it over a cup of coffee. What do you say, Ma'am?" he winks at me, grinning to himself.

"Ji, Sa'ab!" I reply in a typical fauji manner, making Ved's grin go wider, and the same resonating on my face.

And with this, we both walk inside my house, marking the beginning of a very new phase of our lives, along with a new relationship. Life's not that bad, after all!

A/N: Heya! So this is the end now. Only the epilogue is left, which I'll update on Thursday. This chapter is the longest chapter of the book, but I hope you all enjoyed it.

Do vote and comment! :)