Author's POV

The rushing footsteps are heard on the previously silent floor.

The exhausted, dazed brothers glance at the comers.

"Arhaan?! Where is he?" The outcry of a mother resonates on the silent floor.

Arhaan jumps up from his previous position on the bench and walks over to his mother.

"Uncle is with him," he says and looks at the sympathetic faces of his family members. When his gaze meets with the glossy ones of his wife, he feels himself getting emotional.

Seconds later, another whimper is heard, surprisingly it is from Aditi. She rushed into Shaurya's arms and pour her heart out.

Everyone, except Maanya and Arhaan, was shocked, they never imagined this pair.

"They are okay, relax," consoling words of Shaurya do Aditi no good.
Her tears won't stop.

So she stays put into his arms, feeling protected.

Manav Singh looks at his youngest son and smile, never in his life, he thought that all three of his sons will get what he has, the one person that complete you.

He got to experience Love, a four-letter word meaning different to everyone. And now it's his children's chance to experience love.

His sons love their girls each for different reasons. Just like him, he loves his wife because to him she is his support, care, and family.

Family, his loving wife, and their four beautiful children. Out of which one is inside those closed doors, fighting for his life.

With a heavy heart, he walks over to his wife and son and wraps an arm around them. He notices, Arhaan pulling Maanya into his arms and sigh in content.

Pulling back they all settle down on the benches lined up in the corridor waiting for any news from the staff.

"What happened?" Manav Singh asks his son.

Arhaan glances down at his wife and when he holds her gaze, he sighs and remembers the events that occurred a few hours back.

"When we reached the place, we realized it was a trap, our tires were punctured, and we were dragged to the house where Yash was holding Paakhi. Yash had me and Shaurya held back and was attacking Viren. He forced Viren to see him marrying Paakhi.

Luckily enough we had Prithvi as our backup, but till the time he would have reached us, Paakhi and Yash would have been married. So I asked Paakhi to stall time and to do that she had to hurt herself and then act to faint. Thankfully, Prithvi reached on time with the police and they took Yash.

But-" his eyes gloss remembering what happened after that. It was a very tense moment.

"What happened next?" He hears Maanya mumble.

He takes a deep breath and continues, "somehow, things happened and Yash held Paakhi at gunpoint."

Gasps were heard, Arhaan felt Maanya flinch when he said that.

"Gunpoint?" Aditi yells furiously.

"Why would Yash do this? Why did he even come into our lives?" She screams frustrated.

"Because of me..." Maanya mumbles moving out of Arhaan's arms and looking at Aditi, ashamed.

"If not for me, he would have never come into our lives, I forced Paakhi and him together." She confesses guiltily.

"I'm sorry," she sobs. Arhaan pulls her again into his arms and consoles her.

Aditi walks over to her and Arhaan steps back. Both girls Hug each other and cry for their best friend.
Abhay and Savita stride forth and hug both of them.

If someone would see these four they would see a father and mother holding their stressed daughters.

"Who else is hurt?" Manav Singh whispers to his son, not intending to undermine the emotional state of the family a few steps ahead.

"Their friend Prithvi and Dhruv." Arhaan lowly answer.

"How bad?" Manav Singh asks afraid.

"All four of them are under treatment,"  Arhaan explains.

"How did the situation got so bad?" Manav Singh asks angrily.

"When Yash held Paakhi at gunpoint and was about to pull the trigger, Paakhi fainted causing Yash to lose equilibrium and his aim wavered and his hold on Paakhi loosened and she hit her head on the pavement. Bullet hit Prithvi and Dhruv took the advantage of the moment and attacked  Yash, their combat and Dhruv's previous injuries made Dhruv lose consciousness. Viren's injuries resulted in blood loss causing him to lose consciousness too." Arhaan explains.

"Oh, God! Let me call my lawyers and have that bastard pay for what he did." Manav Singh exclaims.

Arhaan shifts his attention towards Maanya who is standing with Shaurya and Aditi.

He walks over to them and they all wait.

One thing that none noticed was a certain someone who heard Arhaan and his dad talk.

Hearing Dhruv's name, Maira held back a gasp. Her heart starts beating extravagantly.

"Maira? Did you get Aunty water?" She is pulled out of her thoughts when Sana calls her.

Putting a brave front she walks forth and gives her aunt a glass of water she fetched.

The previous silence prevails, everyone is tired and tensed. Each praying for the people behind the closed doors.

"How much more time?" Aditi huff, ignoring a backache she is feeling arriving.

Just as the words leave her mouth, the doctors appear from behind those closed doors.

Everyone stands up instantly.

They wait for Dr.Vikram to finish his talk with other doctors and come to them.

"Vikram? How is my son?" Mrs.Singh asks her brother.

"There are some injuries on his face and one broken rib. But he'll be fine." He replies to his sister.

"What about others?" Manav Singh asks.

"Paakhi is okay, just a small wound on her forehead and hand." He replies smiling at Abhay.

"About Prithvi, he has a cast around his arm. We were able to retrieve the bullet though." He says. Who didn't know about the gunshot and gasp terrified.

"And Dhruv is resting, his injuries are similar to Viren but a little more, he has a broken nose, split brow, and two broken ribs," Vikram replies and walk-off towards his room.

"My daughter is okay," Savita aunty exclaims relieved.

"4 people were injured?" Maanya announces upset.

"Ya, but they all are okay," Arhaan confesses snuggling her.

"I want to see Paakhi," Aditi exclaims adamantly.

Everyone stares at her, but her gaze is set on Shaurya's. He nods his head and strolls towards where his uncle just left.

_______________________________

Paakhi POV

Everything feels calm. I'm sitting under this tree looking into the river. Leaves rustling around me and the birds chirping is the best sound I have heard in a while.

Taking a deep breath I relish the peace.

"She looks like she is having a nice dream" I hear a faint mumble.

Glancing around, I find no one.

"Must be dreaming about Viren." Another whisper.

Viren? Who is Viren? Who are these people disturbing my peace?

"Of course, now what would she think about us, Maanu?" The voice starts becoming clearer.

Maanu? This name seems familiar.

"Is she awake?" A new voice resonates.

Who are these people? Where are these voices coming from?

I start panicking. Voices increase and the previously silent surroundings became violent. Thunder clapping, lightning, and heavy winds are making me scared.

"What is happening? Why is she twitching?" the terror in this person's voice scares me.

I start running when the winds become brutal. Running aimlessly scares me more.

Where should I go? Everywhere I see are trees toppling.

Scared, I run faster and harder.

"Call the doctor!" Someone shriek.

"Help!" I yell back. Maybe they can hear me.

Seconds later, I feel someone holding me. Looking around I see a rope wrapping around me.

I thrash around scared. My sobs become intense and I cry for help.

Just as I was about to give up and accept my fate, I hear a whisper. It was so faint and soft that it hardly reached me.

"You are strong. Come back to me."

I'm strong? Come back to whom?

"Follow my voice. Find me." That voice is very soothing.

I look around and this time I surprisingly see a silhouette a few meters away from me.

"Come to me." That silhouette waves his arms.

I attempt to free myself. But the hold is fastening.

"I can't," I cry out.

"Please help me." I plea.

"Love please, I'm waiting." That voice beg.

I try harder and push myself forward and lose balance. Falling on the ground, I grunt in pain.

"Careful!" The concern in this person's voice encourages me.

So I start slithering towards that silhouette. The wind pressure is making it harder for me to reach him, but I thrive forward.

"I'm waiting..."

Just as I reach him, and hold his hand, everything changes. My surroundings change and become blank.

I'm standing in the dark. Afraid to take a step.

"Come to me, love" that voice seems like the person is crying.

I look around and see a small white light. Walking towards its direction, I feel happy.

The light is so bright that I have to close my eyes, so with a smile and closed eyes, I enter the light and when I open them, I see a face. A beaten up, yet beautiful face of a man.

"Oh thank God," that man hugs me. I feel a warmth very familiar.

"You saved me.." I exclaim realizing that silhouette was him.

"No, you did." He pulls back and with a tearful smile exclaim.

I stare at him. He is beautiful.

"How do you feel?" He asks.

"I...I'm" how do I feel?

"Paakhi?" He asks afraid.

The care in his voice touches my heart and I remember him.

The way he says my name feels blissful.

"Oh my God, she lost her memory, she doesn't remember you!" I hear my lovely friend Aditi jump in between.

Of course, she would say something like this.

"Ya, we have seen that in movies." Maanya back her.

Uff my friends. Maybe I was good at that calm place. But then again, I missed them.

"Uncle?" I hear a whisper from my beloved boyfriend. He looks so cute.

"I can't lose her when I just got her back." He confesses.

I stare at the back of his head with a smile, but just as he turned around, I look at him with confusion.

"Do you know who I'm?" He asks as if talking to a 5-year-old.

I nod my head.

"Oh thank God." He sighs in relief.

"You are who saved me from that bad dream," I mumble innocently.

The expression of hurt makes me guilty.

"You Don't remember me? Nor our love?" He asks sadly.

Before I could say I'm joking, he exclaims, "Good, now I can be free of you."

"Hey!" A defensive tone leaves my mouth.

He looks at me and smiles.

"You knew I was joking?" I aks defensively.

He chuckles.

"How?" I whine.

"Because you were holding my hand all the while we were talking, if I know right, you would have left my hand the instant you realized I'm a stranger." He smirks at my hand holding his.

I tug it back and pout.

"Love, you are too naive to do something like this, but I'm happy you are okay. I was scared." He mumbles taking me into his arms.

I snuggle into him and fasten my hold, getting a grunt in return.

I immediately shift back and look at him.

"I'm so sorry," I mumble ashamed. How can I be so ignorant of his injuries?

"You should rest now." I assert.

"I will, but before doing that tell me if you are okay?" He asks caressing my face.

I nod and he leans down to place a small kiss.

"We are waiting..." Aditi exclaims impatiently.

I smile and pull back.

"Now go," I request.

He nods and looks at Shaurya. I see him walking forth and supporting Viren. Seeing Viren limping, makes me cry.

"We are so glad you are okay." Two pairs of arms snuggle me.

I feel tears on my neck and caress both their heads.

"Shh...I'm okay," I mumble.

"We thought we lost you," Maanu mumble in my neck.

"We are lost without you." Aditi exclaim.

A feeling of amiability coarse through me.

"I love you guys," I acclaim cheerfully.

"We love you too," they both express simultaneously.

"I hope we are not disturbing you," I hear a baritone voice of Abby.

He is standing at the doorway with aunty Savita beside him.
Aditi and Maanya get away from me and make space for them.

I open my arms and Savita aunty came running into them.

"I was scared for you," she mumbles.

I caress her back and console her.

"Young lady, you are getting a punishment for scaring us." Abhay uncle chides hugging me.

Not much good occurred in the last few hours but right now, I feel special, I have people who care for me and who love me.

"Where are Nana and Nona?" I ask when I don't see them.

"Mrs.Sharma was not feeling well, so they went home," Abby replies, caressing my back.

Because of me?" I aks ashamed.

"Don't worry she is resting," he assures and I sigh in relief.
After minutes of silence, Maanya call me, "Paakhi?"

I look at her and see her nervously glancing at me.

"What?" I pry.

"Umm...Prithvi is injured too." She utter nervously.

"What happened to him?" I ask jumping off my bed.

My legs feel like jello. But after a few seconds, those tingling sensations disappear and I stand properly.

"He was hit with a bullet," she whispers.

A gasp leaves my mouth and a tear slips my eye.

"Take me to him, please," I implore.

She rushes forward and guides me outside my room.

The corridor is practically empty. The silence here is not a peaceful one, instead, a sign of agitation.

"I heard his room is two doors left two yours." Maanya mumble.

"Where is Viren's room?" I ask.

"Opposite to yours." She replies, before opening the door to Prithvi's room.

Entering I didn't expect to see what I just did.

"You are one infuriating man," Sana scowl at a smirking Prithvi.

"But you just promised to help me." He says cockily.

"Because I thought..." She stomps her leg like a child.

I don't know what, but seeing these two I feel a connection. Prithvi and Sana?! Imagining this is hard but I think Sana needs someone like him in her life right now to move on. She deserves the happiness that maybe Prithvi can offer.

Maanya knock on the open door, and walk-in.

Both Sana and Prithvi gaze at us.

"Well, well look who graced us with their divine presence." He comments looking at me.

I rush towards him and apologize, "All this happened because of me. I'm so sorry." Tears once again start rushing out.

"Hey Pika! I'm glad you are okay." He says leaning forward and holding my hand.

"Why did you let yourself hurt? " I ask.

He pulls me and I carefully lay my head on his shoulder.

"Do you remember when I said that Maanya is like a flower and Aditi as a trunk?" I nod my head, confusingly.

"You know what you are?" He again asks.

This time I inch away and look at him,

"You are a branch, just like tree branches will grow to give the most leaves the light, even if that means growing sideways.

You are a branch, you connect the delicate flower to the strongest trunk. Without a branch, those flowers will fall and the trunk will be barren. You put up with the storms in their lives and still hold onto them. So that is your importance. " his words bring more tears to my eyes, but this time, they are of elation.

"Without you, I'm nothing," Maanu mumble coming towards me and keeping a supportive hand on my shoulder.

"Me too, you saved me." Sana comes rushing forward and hugs me.

"This calls for a group hug!" Prithvi shriek and wrap his uninjured arm around Sana.

She scowls at him and steps back.

I smile at their banter.

"I will go check on Aditi, she was not feeling well," Sana announce and walk out of the door.

"She's not the one you take lightly," I warn him.

"I know, don't worry, I won't do something to hurt her." He replies to my concern.

"Now you rest, I will go see Viren," I tell when I see the nurse walking in.

"How lucky of me, that you visited me before your boyfriend." He jests.

"Consider it as my gratitude," I reply with a chuckle and leave his room.

"Why are those men standing there?" I ask maanu when I see men in black suits lining a door down the corridor.

"Dhruv is in that room, he got injured too, that's his team," Maanu explains.

"Oh my God, how many people were injured?" I ask shocked.

"4" she mumbles.

"I should probably go see him," I say walking down the hall.

She follows me and together we reach the door.

Coincidentally, the door was already unlocked and a little ajar.
We didn't have to peek in to see the scene inside the room.

Seeing the two people inside the room I can say that today seems to be an unusual day, some unexpected things are occurring. Because what I'm seeing is next to unprecedented.

Maira and Dhruv Kissing.

The kiss doesn't seem like a rushing one, it is as if both of them are savoring the moment.

Unexpectedly Dhruv pull back,

"This is wrong," he mumbles avoiding Maira's gaze and looking ahead. That is when his gaze meets mine.

I act as if we just arrived and knock.

Maira looks anxiously towards me and then Maanya, "I hope you are okay now, I will go check on bhai ."  She rambles to Dhruv and turns towards me.

"I'm glad you are fine." She hugs me and saunters out of the door.

"Ms.Kapoor," he nods at me.

"I just came to thank you for..." I scour my mind for suitable words.

"That's my job, and I didn't do it properly," he mumbles the last part.

"I don't know what happened, but the thing I know is that you guys are here because of me," I mumble the last part emotionally.

"Ms.Kapoor, please don't say this. I'm glad you are okay because you are special to someone special to me." For the first time, I saw an emotion in those stoic orbs.

I nod at him and leave the room.

"That man and Maira?" Maanu whispers amused.

" I guess there are more hearts on their way to connecting," I exclaim brightly.

"But our stories are not finished yet," I smile looking at her. Not yet, it's just the beginning.

"I should probably check on Aditi," Maanu walks back to my room.

I turn to Viren's room and enter.

I didn't expect to stand at the doorway with 6 pairs of eyes staring at me.

I would have felt more confident if I would have not been standing in this hospital gown.

"Paakhi? Dear? Are you okay? What are you doing here? You should rest." Ms.Tanvi Singh rushes towards me with concern masking her face.

She takes my hand and pulls me towards the couch. She pushes Mr.Singh off the couch and puts me in his seat. I look embarrassingly at him, to see him smiling at me.

"Are you okay?" She asks eyeing my bandaged hand.

"Yes, Mrs.Singh, I'm absolutely fine. Maybe I'm the only one who is less hurt." I say peeking at Viren, sitting in his bed.

"There is no point in thinking about what occurred, let us just all move on to new beginnings. Starting with you calling me Mom, ma or anything other than Mrs.Singh." hearing her last line my eye go wide in surprise.

That is accompanied by Viren's loud, "Ahem," 

We all look at him, and he lowly mumbles, "Mom too soon..."

I feel a blush creeping on my face.

"I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable dear," she says holding my hand.

"Tanvi, love, I think you have made it enough awkward for them, we should all go and have a cup of tea, I think we all deserve that." Mr.Manav Singh announces smiling at his wife.

She nods her head and takes the outstretched hand of her husband.

Shortly everyone leaves the room, and I sit looking at the floor.

"What just mom said..." I hear the awkward voice of Viren and my gaze rest on his.

"I know it is nothing," I laugh. I don't know why but my heart hurts saying this. Do I want him to ask me to marry him? So soon?

"That's the point-" he stops when we hear a knock on the door.

"Umm, I want to talk to you," Arhaan pops in, and looks nervously at me.

I nod my head and wait for him to fully enter the room.

"For the last few days, I have misbehaved with you, I have portrayed an extremely rude and unpleasant behavior towards you. And I don't know how to apologize for all that." He says looking guilty.

"I did that because I thought if you leave him again, then we will lose him for good and I was not ready for that. I love my brother and for him, I thought I was doing the right thing by keeping you away.

But I forgot who you are, you would never do something like that, you guys are meant to be, just like me and Maanya. I found my other half and seeing you two I see you two complete each other." He confesses.

I get up and hug him.

"You are a brother to me before being anything else. I connect to you. Won't lie, what you said earlier hurt me but knowing your reasons, I can't blame you." I mumble.

"Do you forgive me?" He aks caressing my hair.

"All is forgiven." I smile and back away.

"Good, it would become very awkward if my brother's wife would be angry with me." His words stun me.

What is it with everyone insinuating our marriage?

"Bro?!" Viren yell, Arhaan look at him and then me.

"Uff," he smiles sheepishly and walks out the door.

"Okay, what is happening?" I ask sternly gazing at Viren.

"Will you come here?" He asks patting the space beside him on the bed.

I shuffle forward not because I crave it, because I'm tired.

He wraps an arm around my waist and yanks me towards himself.
I feel comfort in his embrace and lay my head on his shoulder.

"When I knew you were kidnapped, I was a mess, I cried in front of my family, and confessed my feelings to them. So our families kind of know that we are dating." He confesses lowly.

"I saw you getting married to that douche and thought if we get out of this mess, then I will get married to you instantly so that no douche take you away from me." His hold fastens on me protectively.

"So you want to marry me because you are afraid that someone else would?" I ask bothered.

Is this how you ask a girl to marry you?

"Yes?" He replies.

I tug out of his hold and storm out of his room towards mine with tears of irritation streaming down my face.

"What's wrong?" Maanu is the first one to get up from her seat beside Arhaan and ask.

I hug her and let my tears loose.

"Paakhi?" The concern in her voice makes me pull back and control my tears.

"What happened? Is Viren okay? Did you guys fight?" Aditi is the next one to ask.

I nod my head and she again asks, "yes for which part?"

"He said he wants to marry me..." I reply.

"That's good right?" She asks.

"No! Not when he says he wants to marry me because he's afraid that I'll marry someone else." I repeat his words.

"He said that?" Aditi asks angrily.

"Maybe he meant it the other way," Maanu assure.

"No, I even repeated his words and he didn't correct them," I tell them.

"He doesn't care for me?" I question.

"Are you serious?" Aditi exclaim.

"That guy rushed to your side when your pulse was dropping. He even talked to you with so much love and affection to think he doesn't care will be unfair to him." Aditi tell.

"He did pull me through that illusion," I affirm.

"He loves you Paakhi," Maanya states.

"But it still doesn't mean he wants to marry me." I endorse.

They both look at me as if I'm an idiot and I scowl at them.

"Okay okay, you get some rest," Aditi exclaims tugging me to the bed.

"No, I want to go home," I ask adamantly.

"Paakhi!" Maanya reprimands.

"I'm okay, I just want to rest and surely I can't do it here." I huff.

"And someone please get me something to change into." I look irritatedly at my hospital gown.

That guy proposed to me in this!

With a huff, I take the bag from Maanya and walk to the bathroom.

Changing into a loose t-shirt and shirt, I walk out to see Abby, Aunty Savita, and Maanya waiting for me.

"Aditi is filling the forms, but are you sure you want tk leave?" Abby asks taking the bag from me and passing it to Maanu.

"I just need a more cozy environment," I announce. He nods and takes my hand.

"We can leave," Aditi acclaim walking into the room with a bunch of papers.

"Did you had the fees?" I confirm.

"They didn't take any," she shrugs.

I'm too tired to discuss this topic, so I give up and just nod.

"Shouldn't we inform Singh's?" Aunty asks following us.

"I will be waiting outside in the cab," I declare and proceed towards the elevator.

I could feel the stares of Aunty and Uncle on my back but ignore them. I can't see Viren right now, I need time to process everything.

"Do you know where to go?" I hear Aditi questioning me.

I look at her and then at the elevator.

"I thought so," she utter, entering in and pushing the button in the elevator.

"Will you come with us?" I ask Maanya.

"Umm...I don't know, Arhaan didn't say much." She replies awkwardly.

"I'm sorry, your function got spoiled because of me." I apologize ashamed.

She put a hand on mine and smile.

I smile back and squeeze her hand.

As the elevator ding, we three walk towards the two enormous glass doors.

"I just got a text from Aunty, She said, we should leave, and they will join us at home," Aditi tells reading a text from her phone.

Just as the door opens, we are bombarded with people shouting Maanya's name. Some had those enormous cameras that they were shoving in our faces.

It didn't take us time to realize, we are facing none other than Paparazzi.

They are yelling different questions at her.

Just as one of them is about to touch her, guards form a circle around us and escort us to the car parked nearby.

Entering in, we all sigh in relief, "Are you okay?" I ask Aditi and then Maanya.

"It was unexpected." She mumbles.

"You are Maanya Arhaan Singh, get use to it." Aditi exclaim.

I feel Maanya smile and look outside the window.

One more fact, why I can't marry Viren, he is a part of the world where I don't belong.

And sooner or later, he will realize that.

_______________________________

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