The sun reached the zenith as Praneet held his head with both of his hands. He crouched on the chair and recounted about his brother, "Prakash was older than me by seven years. He was not only a brother but my mentor, even a father figure."
His voice was deep and melancholic, "He had an amazing family with his wife Meghana and two daughters, Malvika and Madhumitha."
Madhu heard about her family for the first time with tears brimming in her eyes. She slumped on the floor beside the bed, and Vikram sat near her.
"He was a workaholic and wanted to achieve big. He neglected family sentiments, and hadn't even taken you for vacations," he resumed sadly. "He had a business conference for which you all wanted to go like a family trip."
Madhu tried to piece together the story of her younger self.
"You were ill right before the conference and I was more than ready to have to be beside us. You loved being with me as I took you to fairs and parks," he reminisced with a small smile. "You were a bundle of energy for me but he never wanted to know you. Being the eldest son, he was tamed to be a workaholic and I don't blame him."
Madhu sighed.
As Praneet mentioned about Madhu's sister, Malvika, "She was older than you by five years, she cared for you like her baby with occasional sibling rivalry. You two along with Madhav and Madhan had fun."
Madhu's eyes softened as she remembered Madhan's warmth and kindness. Praneet described in a quivered voice about the day her parents had left, "They left for the meeting but there was a terrible accident on the way. They never made it back."
Madhu shook with tears and Vikram hugged her tightly. Praneet wiped his wet cheeks but tears flew continuously, "It's a burden I've carried in my heart for twenty years. I wish I could have protected them... I shouldn't have let them go..."
Revathy patted his shoulders, "I have been telling him that we couldn't have done anything but he's been living in regret."
Praneet sighed, knowing she was right. "I wish they could see you now, all grown up and strong. They would have been so proud. You were sleeping on my lap when we heard the news," Praneet bit his forefinger to stop his sobs. "I couldn't inform that innocent child about the death of her parents."
When he suffocated with words, Revathy resumed the truth, "You were our promise, our legacy and our hope. You asked us about your parents occasionally. We deviated you until you forgot them."
Praneet stuttered, knowing that he failed in concealing the truth, "I dreaded that you would know the truth someday and would move away from me like I lost my brother. That's why I never left you alone, I am sorry to have kept you a prisoner."
Madhu let out a tear or more.
Madhav said, "They might be strict with your freedom but it came at the cost of your safety. They didn't want to break their promise to Uncle. Father always acknowledged that you resembled uncle and he wanted to see his brother's soul in you. I wouldn't call it selfishness, Madhu."
Madhu understood everything. She hadn't seen her baby pictures because her real parents would be with her in the picture, not her uncle and aunt. She had killed her cousin, Madhan but her foster family never blamed her. She felt guilt-stricken.
Her silence bothered everyone.
Praneet pleaded for her to speak or to yell.
Madhu looked defeated and she lost every ounce of hope in life. Her eyes were etched on her uncle, Praneet. All of her energy was drained as tears.
"Don't look at me like that, Madhu. Please don't think we betrayed you," Praneet begged her. "I can stand your wrath but not your aversion."
Madhu shivered to look at anyone. She hated that atmosphere and hated the truth. Her eyes moved to a visibly shaken Vikram and tried to stand up. She once had a father, a mother and a brother who turned out to be her uncle, aunt and cousin. The family that they all built by pampering, caring and happiness was now lost by a bitter truth.
"Madhu? Please speak out!" Vikram yelled at Madhu, holding her hand. She stayed aloof to his words. Neither did she blink nor say a word.
Revathy was perplexed as Madhu behaved the way she was after the death of Madhan; panicked and vanquished. Her head pounded heavily as the truth swirled through her thoughts, Madhu wanted to cry.
Madhu held Vikram's shoulder, trying to stand up. But she passed out in his lap.
*******

"I knew about her adoption..." Sooraj disclosed hesitantly. "Since you were against the wedding, I thought this point would weaken our plans."
Vikram might've thrown tantrums before but then, he matured well, "It's not a problem anymore. She is a rightful heir of Hegde's and I wouldn't have cared if she was someone else too. I love her..."
Sooraj and Niyati looked at him with sympathy.
"The contract was signed by the old and ridiculous Vikram. I am not him, he died..." Vikram justified his innocence. "I don't know why Karishma ruined our days like this..."
"I told your dad to convey this secret to you..." Praneet informed Vikram.
Vikram interrupted him, "If you believe me or not, I love her. I can't live without her... No matter whose daughter she was... She is my love, my wife."
Sooraj felt proud of his son, "It is useless to drag her past if he is okay with it. Madhu is my daughter-in-law, nobody can change that." 
Rati agreed with them, "Her character is demure, you have taken good care of her. Prakash and Meghana would be happy." 
Vikram added, "I am not that heartless to mock her pain. I will carry her in my heart."
Madhav smiled at him as Vikram showed maturity. Krish turned his determined eyes at Vikram, "We have to treat Karishma for spoiling our lives..."
Vikram nodded, "But I am worried about Madhu. She had panic attacks... I don't want to lose her."
Krish consoled his friend, "When you are standing beside her, nothing can hurt her, Vikram."
Vikram fixed his gaze on a sterile wall, "I have to honour Karishma for making me understand my love for Madhu..."
Krish smiled devilishly, "I will surely do that... maybe a bigger present would be good."
Vikram shrugged his shoulders.
Krish reassured Vikram, "You're here for her. Give the support she needs. She will be okay."
Vikram settled slightly. His love for her mattered the most. He wiped unshed tears from his eyes and tried to be strong, "I will make her forget this pain..."
Krish smiled at his friend, "You're a good man, Vikram. Madhu is lucky to have you by her side. Just remember, it's not about her lineage, it's about the love she showed you. It's called family."
Vikram felt a sense of peace settling within him.
Krish continued, "And when Madhu wakes up, reassure her of your love. Even though she might not behave normally, it makes her feel safe."
Vikram managed a faint smile. "I will. My love for her is stronger than any secret or fear that she has. I'm ready to support her through this, no matter how long it takes."
Just then, the doctor approached to notify them that Madhu had regained consciousness and was in a state of shock.
Vikram made up his mind to go in and talk with her. He didn't require anybody's permission to heal his love.
********

Vikram sat near her anxiously. He trusted that their love would survive the storm but was clueless about where to start. Madhu looked fragile and lost, the way she was after that panic attack. He took in her hand and stroked it gently, humming to a movie song.
She had no expression in his presence. He kissed her palm and placed it on his cheeks, "Aren't you happy that I am here for you?"
Madhu neither nodded nor answered. Vikram thought that he was chatting with a wall.
"I won't see even one per cent less in you than what I initially saw," he admitted honestly. "Your birth, your education or even the number of boyfriends doesn't matter to me. I love you as my wife and the woman who healed me..."
There was a fraction of oscillation in her eyes. He knew that he was on the right track, "You are still the same Madhu whom I want to spend my days with."
Again, her face paled.
"I know it’s a lot to take in. But you are being loved by all of us as a gift," he shared. "You can have millions of questions and I have only one answer which is my love.."
Madhu might have a hard time to come into terms with her identity but he wanted to convey that she wouldn't be left alone. She had companions.
Madhu leaned her head on his shoulder and the room knew how glad he was for that. Though she didn't speak anything or show any facial expressions, he knew that she trusted him. He just had to maintain that trust. He wrapped his hand around her and sat in silence.
"Don't be scared, Madhu. Our relationship will not change for once. I will be the slave to your love..." he commented. "I promise you happiness and lots of babies."
Madhu looked at his eyes and there were small water droplets in her eyes. The outspoken woman that Vikram knew was peeking behind the curtain of shock.
She was embarrassed. There were lies and secrets beside her for at least two decades; everything was in plain sight, still, she couldn't find anything. Her foster family had big hearts to have educated and given her life. What did she do in return? Just a marriage. 
She met the eyes of Vikram for a moment without expressing any kind of emotion. His eyes were determined and with love. She didn't know if she deserved those eyes.
He didn't hesitate to lock her lips with his lips. He knew that if he waited, she would ponder stupidly. She surrendered her soul to that guy who became her pillar. Even though she tried to cope with the truth, the path wouldn't be easy. She sniffed at the thoughts of her parents.
"Shh.." he said and kissed her.
She hugged him tightly, hearing his unsaid promises.

Vikram left Madhu's room to give her space with Ankitha, who rushed from Bangalore. She lost weight and walked quietly into the room. Madhu sat on the hospital bed with puffed eyes and a dull complexion.
Ankitha approached the bedside and took Madhu's hand gently. No words were spoken between them.
Madhu cried to her and Ankitha hugged Madhu, "Vikram told me everything. Don't feel bad..."
Madhu wailed but didn't say anything. She felt grateful to meet Ankitha who forgot her anger during that emergency. 
Ankitha sat beside her friend, "I can only guess how tough it must have been for you. We've got your back, and even your uncle and aunt, Madhav, really looked out for you.."
Tears welled up in Madhu's eyes.
"Vikram's been incredibly supportive too. You've got this under control, my baby," Ankitha consoled in a soothing tone. Her anger toward Madhu subsided a long while ago and she knew it was unjust to show her bitterness at Madhav to everyone.
Madhu nodded her head. He had been compassionate in that situation, not ruthless as she feared. He loved her.
Ankitha leaned in closer, "Sometimes life throws us curveballs but it doesn't change who you are. You get shocking situations in life but it makes you a better person. Now, you know how much your family loves you. Feel blessed!"
Madhu agreed with a nod. 
Ankitha squeezed her hand reassuringly, "Take time to absorb everything but don't lose hope."
Ankitha handed her their favourite chocolate to light up the mood. But Madhu hadn't smiled or showed any familiarity.
Ankitha took a deep breath and hoped for the best.