Shivam decides to go to Mumbai before going home. The two brothers had planned to go home together.

Shivam: Sid, what an amazing transformation? You must be doing lots of workout?

Sidharth: Yeah, a little bit dada. I joined gym 2 years back.

Shivam: You've turned into the most handsome man I must say. So, how many girlfriends do you have?

Sidharth: Hmmm.. Zero girlfriends!! But many girls as friends!

Shivam: (Laughs) I am sure, they might be drooling over you secretly. (Winks)

Sidharth: (laughs) Their problem. By the way, girl drool over men in uniform more than others. So how many girlfriends do you have?

Shivam: Don't tell anybody. I have only one girlfriend.

Sidharth: Really?

Shivam: Yes! And that's Ms. Sana Ghokle!

It came as a big shock because even though he knew she liked him, he didn't know that it was two way now.
He hid his feelings and acted unaware and excited.

Sidharth: Wow! Congratulations Dada. When did this happen?

Shivam: We liked each other even before I joined Army. However, last time when I visited, I gave her my contact details and we kept in touch. I am so excited to meet her after 3 years.

Sidharth: (hugs) Happy for you dada!

The hug was to avoid his sad face which he wasn't able to hide. Shivam's phone rang and they broke the hug.

Shivam: It's Sana, I'll take the call. You pack your bags quickly. We need to leave in 2 hours.

Sidharth pushes a fake smile and nods. Shivam goes out of the room to answer the call. While Sidharth packs the bag lost in his thoughts. He opens the suitcase and finds the box in which he had kept Sana's gifts and letter. He picks it up and goes near the dustbin but his hands refuse to leave the box.

No Sidharth, these gifts are tokens of frienship. You loving her is not her fault and neither is it your fault. You don't love someone with an intention or by planning. It just happens when it happens. There is nothing wrong in it. You've distanced yourself after you learnt about her feelings for Shivu dada.

But what about now? You will encounter her sometime or the other in these 2 months.

By now even she acts like stranger, I am sure more than me she will avoid encounters with me. Let's leave it to the time to decide.

He puts the box back into the suitcase and packs the bag.
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Sana stood on her terrace as Shivam had already informed her about their arrival. The cab stopped at the gate and her heart was beating loudly. Shivam got out of the car and looked around for her. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Sidharth getting down from the car. Shivam looked at her and waved his hand but she didn't wave back as she didn't notice him.

Sidharth looked at Shivam waving hand and looked up in the direction and found the most beautiful girl standing on the terrace.

The teens were now grown into a young gentleman and a gorgeous lady. The skinny boy now looked like a greek God and the plumy and cute little girl in two plaits had turned into a diva with perfect figure.

Her eyes were questioning him silently, seeking a reply as to why did he break their bond. There was no smile but a pain which was visible to him.

He immediately put his head inside the window, asking the driver for the taxi charges. As the eyelock broke, she looked at Shivam and waved before moving away from where she stood. She didn't smile as she feared the tears in her eyes would escape, exposing her vulnerability to the person who didn't care about the bond.
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Shivam: Hey Sid, can I ask you for a favour?

Sidharth: What is it Dada? Since when have started using the word favour speaking to your own brother? Just order.

Shivam: Okay sorry! Listen I want to take Sana out on a date but it would look suspicious to our family if she comes with me. I haven't told Amol about it. He might get angry. Since you two are best friends and haven't met for a long time. You pick her up on the bike and drop near the cross road for me. I will pick her up and then in the evening pick her up from the cross road and drop her home.

Sidharth: What? Let me correct you! We WERE best friends, I haven't been in touch with her, forget being cordial. She wouldn't come with me as well. We aren't 16 now we are 22 year old grown ups.

Shivam: That's why I said favour earlier. See, you ain't listening to my order, how insulting!

Sidharth: Since when did you started acting like a drama queen? Even if I agree, I am telling you that she won't agree to come with me.

Shivam: You don't worry about that. I will speak to her.

Sidharth: What? Speak to the family instead for her. You wouldn't need to do all this circus.

Shivam: I need time for that. I still have 4 years of service, I will speak after that. Her parents were scared when Amol gave test for Army. They celebrated when he got rejected. Do you think they will agree if their son-in-law is in army? I don't want to take risk.

Sidharth: You and your reasons. Now, tell me where am I suppose to spend my time until evening since I should be with her as per our parents?

Shivam: That's your headache!

Sidharth: Huhh? Then I don't want any headache. I will stay home.

Shivam: Sorry sorry sorry! Please arrange something for yourself. Only for few Sundays because rest of the days she is working.

Sidharth: Wait! What? Few Sundays? That means it's recurring every weekend?

Shivam: Please Sid. In future, I will help you with your date.

Sidharth: Thanks bro!! I have enough courage to speak to my future girl's family if I date someone rather than playing hide and seek.

Shivam: You are the cupid in my love story.

Sidharth: No, I am the stupid!! (Smiles)
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Sana: No no no! I can't come with him. You are a soldier, be brave enough to accept infront of my family Shivam. (Speaks into the phone)

Shivam: Sana, you know the reason why I am delaying in telling our parents. Your parents won't accept this soldier. Wait for 4 years.

Sana: 4 years? My father has already started contacting astrologers and matrimony. He wants me to marry in next 2 years. As he thinks, if they start now, the process will take 2 years atleast.

Shivam: Oh God! New problem. I will soon find a solution for it. But for now, you will come with Sid to the cross road. That's final.

Sana agrees to his decision. Sidharth goes to her house.

Vani: Sidharth, how are you? You've become so big and handsome.

Sidharth: I am fine aatya. How are you?

Vani: I am good too. You've made your parents proud. You put so much effort in studies and now got a very good job as well.

Sidharth: I have done nothing. It's Shivu dada who has made aayi baba proud of him.

Vani: Yes, Your parents are very brave that they agreed to send him to army. It's so risky. I don't have such courage to think about any of my family members to take up such role.

Sidharth: Risk is everywhere aatya. It's just the magnitude that differs. By the way aatya, I've come to pick Sana. I was so bored and wanted to do some shopping for my new job. I need her help.

Vani: Oh is it! Sanaaa!!

Sana was already dressed up. He looked at her properly and from close today for the first time in those 6 years. He cursed his fate and destiny to have not written her in his life. The next moment he cursed himself for thinking about her when she was his brother's girlfriend.

Vani: Oh! You are already dressed. Okay bye then. Take care.

Sana: Bye Mumma!

Sidharth: Bye aatya!

Vani: Bye! Sidharth keep coming home son.

Sidharth: Sure aatya.

Sidharth starts his bike and Sana sits behind. They were extra conscious about a slightest touch and here the touch was inevitable. The roads weren't so good and it had lot of bumps and speed breakers to avoid speeding. He drove carefully so that they don't feel uncomfortable due to sudden breaks. Both of them didn't speak a word.

His phone rang and for a fraction of second he got distracted and there was a jolt and her hands which was hanging down, now squeezed his shoulder in fear.

Sidharth: Sorry! Are you alright?

Sana: Hmm.. I am fine!

He pulled to the side as his phone rang continuously.

Sidharth: Sorry, I need to take the call. (She nods and he answers) Hello, Hey Monica, How are you?... No dear, was just riding on my bike... Girl? No at all, was just running an errand for mom... Monica, listen I'll call you back in 15 minutes, let me finish this errand else my mom will fire me... Bye!

He started the bike and continued to ride. Sana who heard the entire conversation was a bit disturbed.

Who is this Monica? Is she his girlfriend? No, can't be.

Why not? Look at his biceps and his physic and his height. And didn't you hear, he said Dear to her and he lied saying there was no girl with him. Why does he need to hide if she wasn't his girlfriend.

Monica!! Name looks so posh, I wonder how she looks?

Must be very sexy, if it's his girlfriend, she would definitely be!

More than me?

What? Why are you comparing yourself with her? Why are you bothered?

Hmm!!! You're right! We aren't friends now so it shouldn't bother me!

The bike halts and she looks around, they had reached the cross road. Shivam was waiting for her with his bike. She got down and said thank you to him. She went and sat behind Shivam on his bike.

Sidharth was feeling unbearable to look at her sitting with Shivam. He pulled out his phone and pretended to be talking. As Shivam rode the bike Sana looked back at Sidharth busy talking on phone and not looking at her. She thinks he must be talking to Monica.
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Sidharth watched a movie alone in the theatre and in the evening returned back to pick her up. He dropped her home in silence.

It was a little over a month now from their arrival. It was a bright Sunday, when Sidharth picked up Sana from her home to drop her at the cross road as usual. They reached early and Shivam was not to be seen.

Sana: Thank you! I will wait for him, you might get delayed for your work.

Sidharth: What work do I have? I just watch a movie or play cricket with kids on the ground until you two come back. Besides, I can't leave you alone here in this isolated place. You are my responsibility until Shivu dada comes.

Sana: Okay!

It was almost 15 minutes but Shivam had not turned up yet hence Sidharth gives him a call.

Sidharth: Hello dada, where are you? We've been waiting for you from past 20 minutes here.

'Hello! This is Inspector Gaitonde. Your dada has met with an accident. We've admitted him at City Hospital. His phone was locked, so we couldn't contact anyone. Could you please come to the hospital as soon as possible?'

Sidharth: (Shocked) What? Sir, I am coming. (Disconnects and speaks in Traumatized tone) Sana, Shivu dada..

Sana: (Curious and Scared) What happened Siddu?

Sidharth: I'll drop you at the market, please go home. I have to attend something urgent. (His face was red and nerves on forehead popped out in tension)

Sana: Siddu, what happened? Where is Shivam? Tell me!

Sidharth: He.. he met with an accident.. I need to go to the City hospital

Sana: (Shocked) What? I am coming with you. Please take me with you. Please Siddu. (she begged)

Sidharth nodded and started his bike. They reached the hospital and met Gaitonde.

Gaitonde: Please inform your other relatives. He is no more.

Sidharth: What on earth are you saying inspector? My dada...

He collapsed on the bench nearby, while Sana held his arms and cried.

Sana called her father and informed him about Shivam and asked him to get Prema and Ananth to the City Hospital.

Vani and Ramnath told Prema and Ananth about an accident first and they drove to the hospital. They then slowly informed them about the death to save them from sudden shock.

All their life was scattered infront. They finished Shivam's final rites. Sidharth was shattered while Sana was shaken to the core.

5 days passed and Ghokle family took care and supported Bhosles during their grieving process.

Sidharth heard a loud scream from Ghokle's house and he rushed to their house. He was shocked to see that Vani was slapping Sana.

Ramnath sat down on sofa holding his head while Amol was watching Sana angrily.

Vani: Are you telling me or not? Whose dirt are you carrying in your womb? Tell me.

Sidharth looked at the sight and was horrified.

Sana is pregnant? Oh no! Shivu dada? He is gone and Sana is silent. What would she say about a deceased person. Her life will be miserable. Aatya will kill her like this.

Sana's face was all red after getting slapped and fully wet with tears. He couldn't see her condition. Somewhere he held himself responsible for it since it was he who helped her sneakily meet Shivam. He ran and held Vani's hand.

Sidharth: It's mine!!

Vani looked at him in anger while Sana looked at him in shock! Ramnath and Amol looked equally shocked.

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Remember, it's fiction, just like a movie or a daily soap you watch.

To be continued..

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