Priyanka 's POV

I opened my eyes when I felt the heat of the morning sun. I felt a slight pain in my back as I stood up from the sitting position on the floor.

I tried to remembered what happened last night.

Oh yeah. I get it. Ranveer dozed up in my lap and soon after I slept while sitting only. Strange. For 3 years, I couldn't sleep in those cosy beds but with him, I could even sleep in a uncomfortable position like this.

But where's Ranveer? This is quite rude of him to leave me alone like this.

I think I should take a look around.

I was passing by the corridors searching for him. Where could he go this early in the morning?

I peeked in the one of kids' bedroom. All of them are sound asleep. It's a Monday morning. Geeta Maa is going to have a hard time getting these devils ready for school. Speaking from my experience, it's an Herculean task.

I left quietly not to disturb their peaceful slumber. My back aches a little but I choose to ignore it.

I rubbed my head as I bumped my into someone.

' Priyanka watch your way. '

' Sorry Annika bhabhi. '

Bhabhi looked a little drowsy. She ought to, by the way. She's not an early riser. In fact she gets grumpy if someone disturbs her pericous sleep. Thus bhaiya kept her nickname as Lady Kumbhkaran.

' Why are you up bhabhi? ' I asked.

' I should be asking this, shouldn't I? ' She gave one of her teasing smile.

' What do you mean Bhabhi? '

' Prinku, take a little free advice from me as a sister. I know you've been married for 2 months now and you don't like to use makeup on a daily basis. But next time when you do, remember to wipe off the lipstick mark off my brother's cheek. ' Bhabhi winked at me.

I blushed deeply. I am sure my cheeks can't be any redder now.

Why do I always end up embarrassing myself like this? How could I forget about the lipstick? The dim moonlight didn't help at all either.

I came out of the thoughts when I heard Bhabhi 's chuckle.

She looks so pretty when she laughs. She has been a sister to me that I never had. She considers Ranveer as her brother as she doesn't have one. She's more open to him than me. Maybe because they are a lot of things common in between them. Both of them have lost their parents and are self made. Ranveer is the ACP while bhabhi is a reputed architect.

My brother is truly head over heels for her. That's why I don't understand why isn't bhaiya happy for her success? She's finally getting her dream award but he doesn't want her to attend the award function. How can he say that it would be the same thing if the award is just delivered to their house? It's her dream.

Dream.

A single word which held so much emotions attached to it. People tend underestimate the meaning behind this word. It's not just a materialistic achievement, but a motivation to work harder every time someone fails and in many cases, a reason to live for some.

No. Don't think about that. It would only hurt. I chided myself.

How can I not? It was my dream, not a piece of paper that someone can throw in the bin and forgot about that.

It hurts so much. And it hurts so much more when that someone is my husband Ranveer whom I love beyond measures.

I can't still believe he did that. It was so easy for him. I know he hated me, for a valid reason, but still how could he? Moreover he has no remorse whatsoever for his action.

Does a woman's dream hold no value in this patriarchal society? Why should only a woman sacrifice her dream for the sake of her family or her husband's family?

Ranveer and Shivaay Bhaiya. The two men in my life whom I believed were not like rest of the world.

I believed because they had just proved me wrong. If they don't care about my or Annika bhabhi 's dream then what could I expect from the rest of the world? Now I wonder if Mom also have an unfulfilled dream? Or maybe Dadi as well?

' Back to earth, Prinku. ' bhabhi flicked her fingers in front of my eyes which broke my trance. I controlled my tears.

I remembered the last night conservation with her in the party where she told me everything. I should have a word with bhaiya about this.

He's still my bhaiya. Hopefully he would. Well I do believe he would. Maybe I should talk to Ranveer first. I am sure he knows more than I do. Strange again given the fact it's my family.

' Thinking about your hubby? Well he's in the living hall with Shivaay and Dad. I don't have the slightest idea what these men have in their mind if you want to ask. '

Now I seriously need to know what is going on.

' What are you doing here Bhabhi? '

' Nice question. I was trying to find my way to the kitchen. Shivika and Ansh have got up and want something to eat. This place is big and I don't want to get lost. So can you help with the directions Prinku? '

I gave her the instructions and headed towards the hall.

I was going to open the door when I heard familiar voices.

What should I do? It's not good to eavesdrop but then they have been acting very secretive recently. I doubt that they will tell me anything.

Eavesdropping is wrong but sometimes necessary.

Making up my mind, I put my ear to the door. Dad and bhaiya are very worried. Ranveer is tensed as well but he sounds confident.

Oh my God! My blood froze when I realised what are they talking about.

Now I understand why Ranveer was so busy and why bhaiya don't want bhabhi to go to the award function.

This is definitely not good. Not good at all.

I was pulled out of my thoughts when I felt something tugging at my legs.

' What are doing here Ronak and Nishant? ' I asked in a low voice.

' Are you eavesdropping Prinku di? You said it's bad. We shouldn't do that. ' Nishant asked me.

You're too innocent to know the cruelties of this world.

' Come with me. ' I escorted them away from the hall to one of empty corridors. I don't want anyone to listen to my voice.

' I was just waiting for your jiju. You tell me why are you up now? It's still 6 in the morning. ' I changed the subject quickly.

' Actually we were looking for you. We need your help. ' Ronak said handling me a white printed sheet of paper.

' This is our maths assignment and it's difficult. ' Nishant explained.

' So you want my help to solve it. But why now? ' I asked again.

' Because you are leaving today. ' Ronak told me.

Quite obvious. I looked at the questions and frowned. I never liked maths.

' You never asked for my help before. ' I don't want to do this.

' Because Meghna di would usually help us. But now after knowing about the spider trick, she's angry with us. It will take us more than a week to convince her. ' Nishant said with a sigh as if it's more difficult than climbing Mt  Everest.

' Oh yeah. I remember the spider. Still why me? Meghna is not the one who could help you. '

I was never a fan of maths. I would rather do anything else than a maths assignment .

' Prinku di stop frowning and making excuses and help us. ' Ronak put his hands on his waist and told me.

Looks like there was no way out for me.

' Anyway waking someone else would take too much time and efforts. What's the problem with you di? You scored good marks in your school. ' Nishant explained again.

Who told them this? For the first time, I regret getting good marks.

' So do you. Good marks don't mean you like it. ' I said.

' Yes di. We understand what you mean. ' Ronak spoke like an adult.

' These are primary level questions. Certainly you can do them better than us. ' Nishant said.

' C'mon di. Please help na. ' Both of them said with their cute puppy face expression.

' Ok fine. Let's get started then. '

I took a deep breath. I can never say a no after looking into their puppy dog eyes. Always works on me. And these devils are wise enough to use this as an advantage.

After an hour, finally all the questions were solved. I remembered my school days. Those were full of fun. But still I dislike maths.

' All done. Now be off you and get ready for school. '

' Thanks Prinku di. ' Both of them said, kissed my cheeks and ran to their room. I hope they don't get late.

I sighed. I remembered whatever I heard an hour ago. God what am I supposed to do? Should I talk to Ranveer? But what would I say to him?

I got up and felt a wave of pain ran down my spine. I stumbled. I closed my eyes and waited to touch the hard ground.

But it never happened. I felt a hand on my belly supporting my weight. My hands rested on a well built masculine physique.

Ranveer. I don't need to see that it's my husband.

I opened my eyes when a hand tucked the hair strands behind my ear. Our close proximity was causing my heart to beat at a crazy rate. Our lips were almost touching. I felt the blood rushing up to my cheeks.

My eyes were locked with his. His eyes held concern for me.

He slowly stepped aside. His hand was still on my waist and mine on his shoulders.

' Are you alright? ' he finally broke the silence.

' Yes. ' I said but a second later I flinched when I felt another wave of pain shot down my spine.

Wrong timing.

His hand slowly massaged my back which ease the pain to some extent.

' I don't think so. Use some medicine. And ...... get ready in half an hour. I need to go. '

He said in a no-nonsense tone. If I didn't know the truth then I would think that he doesn't care about me at all but now when I know what he's so worried about, I am proud of him.

' Ok. ' I said as I removed my hands from his shoulders. His hands were still on my waist.

' I should go and get ready, right? ' I said hoping that he would get the hint.

' Yes. You should. But ....... '

Why is he so hesitant to say something?

' I am sorry about the last night. '

He had woke up in the middle of the night, afraid, cried on my shoulder and later slept in my lap. I have no clue why.

' Can I ask you something? '

' Sure. ' His voice was hesitant. He must have deduced what I want to ask.

' Why were you so disturbed last night? '

' It's a long story. '

Expected answer. Well it was worth a try.

' I know you won't have told me even if we had time. Because you don't trust me. '

Damn! I need to keep a check on my guard around him. I feel too comfortable in his presence that I automatically speak my mind.

Or maybe because I know he won't ever judge me

' It's not like that. ' He told me.

' Then? '

' I don't like to recall that story. Some memories can be very painful and some conditions can stimulate the deepest fears. ' He said in a nonchalant voice.

What does that mean? Painful memories and deepest fears. Does he has a past? A past before Aradhya 's accident? Did whatever happened last night was  somehow related to his past? But how?

' Oh shit! What was I saying? Priyanka ignore my words. Just forget them. Those were meaningless. ' He said as realisation drawn upon him.

Or maybe they held too much meaning behind them, more than what you want me to know.

Both of were quiet and the silence was awkard.

' Umm..... it's fine Ranveer. I don't mind. '

' One last thing. Thank you for..... looking after me. '

He said with sincerity. I smiled.

' You're most welcome. And.... '

I struggled to find the right words.

' And ...... I am sorry about the..... you know.....  I forgot..... the lipstick...... '

I know bhaiya and Dad teased him a lot about that. I know my family. Even at time of a serious talk, they would never lose a golden opportunity to tease Ranveer. Or me.

' It's fine. ' He said in a low voice and left quickly, slightly embarrassed.

I sighed again. Enough revelations for one day. Now I want some rest.

********************************

A bade wala sorry for not updating without any prior notice. *holding ears*

A long chapter(2100+ words), longest till now, as a small compensation.

Another bade wala sorry, because I won't update regularly from now onwards because my finals are round the corner. *still holding ears*

I have my 10th board this year. My batch is giving a board exam after following the CCE pattern for 7-8 years. More than me, my parents and teachers are anxious about the exam.

In short, it's very difficult to get any time to write.

Hope you understand.

Thank you.