A/N

Hello guys!

I won't say anything this time, just do share your reviews on this chapter!

Happy reading!
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Pia's POV

I felt my head pounding heavily and like I have a mountain on my head. I frowned and tried to open my eyes but couldn't. I was hearing muffled voices around me and I knew I was not alone. I again tried to open my eyes and this time a bright light hit me. I squint my eyes shut immediately.

"Dim the lights, nurse" I heard someone say and I opened my eyes, slowly this time, my eyes are feeling like heavy curtains... I blinked a few times, trying to adjust to the light. As soon as my vision got cleared, a white ceiling came into my view. I titled my head sideways to get a shock! None other than Mr. Shekhawat was standing there and I was just staring at him. Is this real? Why is he here? Why does he looks so disheveled with eyes so red and hair all messy? Wait... Where am I? How did I land up here? I looked at other side to see Sid standing there too.

I looked around and that's when I realised that I was in a hospital room, that too with many machines around. A man in a white coat strode to my side and removed the oxygen mask I was wearing and smiled at me.

"How are you feeling Ms. Pia?" The doctor asked.

"My head, it hurts so much!" I said and hissed in pain, when I tried to lift it up.

"Relax relax, it's nothing serious. It will go away in a matter of few hours" doctor said, checking my eyes and pulse.

"You are absolutely fine now. It's good that you woke up so early, everyone were so worried" the doctor said, checking some other things and I was as blank as a white sheet.

"How... How did I come here?" I asked to no one in particular.

"Ohh that, nothing serious Sh... Pia. You were dancing and fainted suddenly. We brought you here and doctor said it was due to your low blood pressure" Swayam said, not meeting my eyes and because I couldn't recall anything that happened other than me dancing and feeling a bit dizzy with some of the flashbacks, I just nodded and accepted it.

"We will be shifting you to one of the rooms soon. Everyone can meet her there" the doctor said to me first and then turned to Swayam. He nodded and I frowned. Who else are here? I suddenly felt very drowsy and my eyes were getting heavy.

"Ms. Pia, you need proper rest now. If you feel sleepy, then sleep off or I will have to give an injection for that. Your brain needs rest" the doctor said turning to me and I nodded, my eyes already half close. Maybe I am drowsy because of the medicines.

"I am sleepy" I said and closed my eyes. In no time, sleep took over me and my vision went black, but not before I felt something soft and wet touch my forehead. I wonder what it was.
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I opened my eyes slowly and blinked a few times. The room was dark and the sound of machines around me was not there anymore. There was a small bulb, which was illuminating the whole room in a dim white light. There was a window and when I looked out of it, it looked dark. I averted my gaze to the other side of my bed and gasped.

Swayam was sleeping here, sitting on a stool beside the bed and resting his head on his hands, which are holding mine, facing towards me. The dim light highlighted the features of his face and he looked breathtaking. He looks so much at peace than what I had seen earlier today. I still can recall his disheveled state and it hurt me, to see him like that. But now he was sleeping peacefully with a faint smile on his lips.

A sudden wave of warmth filled within me when I realised that he was indeed here for me, all the time. My heartbeat quickened when I felt his warm breath, falling on my arm under his head. The loose bangs of his hair fell on his forehead, making him look like a cute little teenage boy.

I suddenly felt the urge to remove the hairs from his face, which can allow me to look at his beautiful face without any barrier. Unintentionally, I jerked my hand that was below his head.

"Sharon!" He whispered, as soon as he woke up startled, and also bringing me out of my happy bubnle. I felt a strange pain in my heart when I heard the name that came out of his mouth immediately after he woke up. He still loves her and still hasn't moved on from her. Poor him, I think he was also seeing her in his dream, due to which he was smiling and was calm.

I felt my heart getting heavier and hurtful in its place, as these thoughts invaded my mind. I saw him closing his eyes and biting his lips, as if he regretted saying her name. I quickly averted my gaze and gulped a lump which had formed in my throat. I blinked my eyes rapidly in order to soak back the moisture which was threatening to spill any moment.

You have to control yourself Pia! It is you who is going to be hurt and broken in the end, if you don't control your feelings now. It's only from my side and I also know that he can never reciprocate my feelings back to me. He loves some other girl, even when she is not with him. I am jealous of that girl, who he loved so dearly and he still does.

I heard him clearing his throat seconds later and I blankly looked at him keeping a blank face, not meeting his eyes. I could feel his gaze on me, which made me self-conscious all of a sudden. I shifted in my bed a little.

He cleared his throat again and I looked up at his face, meeting his soft eyes. His eyes were slightly red and were puffed a little. There were these dark circles below his eyes, which seemed to be from something which had stressed him too much. I think he it's because he couldn't sleep properly here, in hospital. Wait... Why is he here, instead of someone else?

"How... How are you feeling?" He asked stuttering and I frowned. What made him stutter all of a sudden?

"I'm feeling much better now" I said and he looked relieved. He smiled at me faintly which made my heart skip a beat. Damn! I can't even stand his smile. Feeling the need to move away from him immediately, I tried to get up but felt the dizziness in my head suddenly.

I balanced myself on one of my elbow and clutched my head by other hand. The pain was shooting again which made me close my eyes shut! I felt warm arms around me, making me sit straight. I opened my eyes to see Swayam's worried face looking at me tensed. He had his arms around me, making my lean sideways on his upper body for support. My one hand automatically was clutching onto his upper arm's shirt, tightly.

I looked up at his face again, only to realise how close we were. My eyes stopped at his deep ones and I was lost in them again. I don't know how but his eyes always manage to capture mine in them. His eyes were filled with so much of compassion, so much of worry at this moment, that it looked like a dream to me. They were intense, which sent shivers down my spine. The feeling was strange. A strange kind of relief, the feeling that says you are safe and at home... I felt my heart thumping so loud that I am afraid he can hear it.

What's happening to me? Why am I loosing myself to him? What is he doing to me? Why is my body relaxing in his touch, like he is the perfect medicine? I quickly looked down, unable to hold the intensity of his gaze. I will go crazy someday if this continues. He quickly loosened his hold around me from the tight hold before, but he didn't leave me. I felt his one hand moving and in the next moment, he held a glass of water near my mouth.

"Here, drink water, you will feel better" he said in a low yet soft tone. I nodded, silently thanking him for water, because I needed it the most, as I felt my throat dry. I took the glass from his hand. My heart skipped a beat the moment our fingers brushed each other's, making our eyes lock once again for a brief moment. I resumed what I was doing and drank the water hurriedly.

"Hey... Relax, drink slowly or else you will choke" he said, pulling the glass a little down and looking at me concerned. Stop it Mr. Shekhawat! You don't have any idea what those eyes of yours are doing to me.

"Thank you" I said as soon as I finished drinking and handed the glass back to him. I left me to keep the glass down and I suddenly missed his warmth. Shut up!

"I need to use the restroom" I made an excuse to be out of here, as soon as he turned to me and he smiled at me. What's with him smiling so much?

"Sure... Let me help you" he replied and took a step towards me but I stopped him.

"It's okay. I will manage" I said and dragged my body to the corner of the bed, pulling my legs down, to stand up.

"You couldn't even sit properly, how will you be able to walk!? Let me help you" he said stubbornly. I looked at him and shook my head lightly.

"I said I am fi... Ahh" I couldn't complete as I got up suddenly and felt dizzy. I held my head immediately and stretched my another hand for some kind of support. My hand landed on something and I held onto it, tightly. I steadied my breathing, back to normal and opened my eyes again. I realised that my hand was holding Swayam's hand in a death grip again and his another arm was around my shoulder, holding me from falling down.

"I said you I will help! See now, the pain just got severe!" He scolded me like a mother, to which I couldn't help but smile at his adorable angry yet worried face.

"I said I am fine..." I whispered and he glared at me immediately.

"Stop saying that you are fine, when you are clearly not! Stop lying to me" I said irritated. I pressed my lips together and gulped down the giggle that was threatening to come out. I cleared my throat next and looked back at him.

"Will you leave me and let me walk? You know, I want to get in there urgently" I said pointing towards the attached door to the room, which was washroom I guess. He averted his gaze from my face and made a little space between us, but not at all leaving me.

"No, I will not leave you. I will help you walk till there" he said and when I was about to protest, he raised his eyebrows at me, giving me a stern look.

"And no! You will not say you will be fine" he added and I closed my open mouth. Is he mind reader or something? I looked away in defeat and let him hold me. I started moving and felt the dizziness shoot back. There was none if I am still, but as soon as there is some movement, it starts hurting. Taking small steps, I reached the door and opened it and held onto its frame. Swayam switched on the lights and I passed him a grateful smile.

"Thank you again..." I said as I took a step forward but he didn't seem to leave me. I looked back at him and cleared my throat. As if coming out of some trance, he left me and smiled tight lipped. I entered and shut the door, taking a breath of relief.

I opened the door after few minutes, after the deed was done. I looked into the room to see that there was a nurse setting some medicines on the side table. I stepped out and immediately, within seconds, Swayam was by my side, helping me to the bed. I passed him a grateful smile as soon as I sat on the bed.

"Hello dear, how are you feeling now?" The nurse asked me.

"I am feeling better. But my head hurts too much if I move" I said palming my forehead and she nodded in understanding.

"That's completely normal and natural. Take this medicine, it will help" she replied, handing me a medicine and holding a glass of water in her hands. I took the tablet and drank water immediately. After handing her the glass back, I tried moving back on the bed. I sighed thinking that I don't want to sleep anymore. I shifted further back and tried adjusting the pillow, for proper comfy to sit but it didn't move this time. I looked at the side to see that Swayam had held it. My hands immediately left the pillow and I adjusted myself, whereas Swayam adjusted the pillow behind me.

"Comfortable?" He asked me once we were done and I smiled.

"Yes. Thank you once again..." I said sheepishly looking at him and he gave me one of those smiles which made my heart flutter.

"There's no need to thank again and again Pia" he waved it off with a chuckle and I joined him.

"Looks like I get to say that as long as you are here with me" I said chuckling and he just shrugged. But his face had changed from jolly to lost. Did I say something offensive? I don't remember doing that... He still had a smile on his lips, but it was looking like a sad one. Suddenly, I heard clinking of something and that's when I realised that the nurse was still present. I looked towards her, to see that she was smiling at me.

"It's a good sign that you woke up early. Your husband, your family and your friends were so tensed for you before" the nurse said casually but her word made me frown and shocked!

Husband!?

Who the hell is my husband here?

"Husband? Who's husband?" I asked her, recovering from the shock and she smiled at me more.

"Oh dear, who would be by your side 24*7 other than your husband? Ofcourse he is..." She replied gazing at Swayam and then at me. Her words made me freeze on the spot! Did she just say Swayam? As my husband? Impossible!

"Err... Actually..." Even before I could speak, she cut me in saying

"Now rest. Doctor's shift has not been started yet since it is 5:00 in the morning. I will get him once he is in the hospital. Take care" saying so, she left the room, leaving me alone with Swayam.

43 seconds have passed since the nurse exited the room and there was this awkwardness in the air. None of us spoke a word since. I heard footsteps and lifted my eyes from my lap, to see Swayam walking towards the window. He stood there, gazing outside with his back towards me.

"Her name is Sharon right?" The words slipped out of my mouth, even before I could stop them and he turned towards me in a blink. He looked taken aback and his eyes were wide, as if not believing what I said.

"You still love her. Don't you?" The words slipped again and gulped the lump in my throat, which was threatening to become a sob. I don't know why, but saying out those words, it hurt me too much. Yet, I was looking at him, waiting for a reply. He stood there for and good few seconds and then strode towards me. He sighed and looked straight into my eyes intently.

"Yes, I do. I love her a lot and will do till my last breath!" He said in a soft voice, only for me to hear it. I was looking into his eyes all the time and all I could read was, his honesty and his sadness in his eyes. Yet, they shone with a strange emotion when he uttered those words.

It felt like... It felt like they were meant for me... Wait, what!? No! It's impossible! I quickly looked away from his eyes. What was I thinking? He loves 'her' not me... He said it straight to out this time and even then, you are being so stupid? How can you even think of something like this Pia? Don't. Just don't do this. It will hurt very bad in the end. You will suffer, so it's better to protect yourself beforehand.

I heard the door open n close after sometime and realised that Swayam went out, leaving me alone with my broken heart... Ofcourse, why wouldn't he? You opened such a touchy subject for him. Taking a deep breath, I finally let my tears flow down. Gazing out of the window, I saw the darkness fading away and I smiled through tears. Maybe this is a sign of nature, saying me to accept the fact that he loves someone else and move on. Maybe we aren't meant to be...
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"Come in!" I replied to the knock I heard on the door of my room. By my room, I mean my room in my home. Yes, I am back from the hospital. I got discharged the next day as I was normal, but I was strictly kept away from any kind of work by my family. It's been 4 days since I am home and bored! I also am tired of saying that I am all fit and fine, but they wouldn't budge!

When I said them that Swayam is my boss and he wouldn't like me taking so many days of leave, not working, especially when there was a deadline of the recent deal, he had to call me at the same moment. He had called and said me to rest as long as my family says and not to bother about work at all. He has actually been sweet these days. He would call me daily, in the excuse of talking something about work and then, but end the call only after getting updated about my health. The whole gang visited the same day and warned me to take care of my health strictly. But something was different in their behaviour, as if they were hiding something from me.

Swayam was 24*7 around me in the hospital too. From helping me walk around to, giving medicines and food on time, it was like he treated me as his family! When I questioned him why he was treating me so, he replied back shrugging and saying that he was guilty that this all happened to me because of him. If he wouldn't have forced me to dance, nothing would have happened and as a friend, he has all the rights to talk and be with me. I said him that he had no fault in it, but he won't listen to me here. It was really awkward, him being around everytime, but I didn't have a say in it.

Thinking of all these things, raises a question in my mind daily... Why is he doing this? What is he getting by doing all these things? Why is he making it harder to not develop feelings for him and be away from him? I know and I have decided that I will have to stay away from him, but he is not letting me do that!

"Hey lost lady!" Sid called out and I looked at him, coming out of my trance. I saw him smiling at the entrance of my room, holding a mobile phone, in a manner of recording me! Again!

"Sid! Not again!" I said to him irritated and threw a cushion towards the damn phone and covered my face with the other pillow. This was like his daily routine now! He barged into my room daily, saying me that he won't get this opportunity again and again that I am ill and resting at home. I thought he would do it for a day or two, but this person didn't stop on day three! And here, he is again here to irritate me! I am so fed up of his antics!

"Well, that's a great way to wish back and for your kind information, the video is on already!" He said smirking and I groaned in annoyance, making me glare at him, setting the pillow aside. Why is he doing this!?

"Why are you recording all the days Sid? It's not like I am going to die tomorrow. Moreover you don't even show me the video!" I shouted at him and took him by surprise and immediately caught his mobile. His face looked horrified and shocked. He didn't leave his grip on the phone and I was trying to snatch it with all my force. I knew for sure that I cannot win in this game of strength. An idea popped up in my mind.

I started breathing heavily all of a sudden and loosened my grip purposely. I immediately saw the changing expression on his face to worried and he let the phone drop down and forwarding his hand towards water on the bedside table. I immediately picked up the phone and grinned at him in victory as my plan worked. I saw him giving me a glare and I poked my tongue out at him, sliding to the other end of the bed.

"What the hell Pia!? You got me all worried and you were just acting. How dare you do that!?" He asked, almost yelled and I flinched slightly at his tone. This was the first time he used that tone on me.

"Give my phone back to me, now!" He ordered sternly but I didn't. The phone was in my hand but was facing downwards and I couldn't see if the video was still on. I looked down for moment and again looked up, with my eyes a little moist from his yelling. He never scolded me. I saw his eyes softened and he let out a deep sigh.

"Pia you don't know how it feels to see you suffering during an attack and right now, you did just that as a joke. It's not a joke to me. I was worried shit here even though for a moment" he said calmly and I looked down again. He is right, I shouldn't have done that. Taking a deep breath in and out, I tossed his mobile on the bed, in front of me, handing it over to him. Anyways, he is to show me one day or the other. He extended his hand to pick the phone but the room door flew open and there stood mom.

"What serious talks are going on here?" She asked, walking into the room with a glass of juice for me. This is how I am being treated for past few days, like I am the queen of this palace.

"Nothing mom, we were just talking" Sid said putting up a smile.

"And fighting too" I added, glaring at him.

"As always" mom added chuckling and we all joined in the laugh. Soon I saw mom's posture going tense as she sat on the edge of the bed, beside me. Me and Sid looked at each other, asking eachother silently whether we know the topic or not and after getting a negative response, I looked back at mom.

"Pia I want to talk to you about something" she said and I raised my eyebrows at her serious tone. Something is definitely not right with this talk.

"Alone!" She added, looking at Sid. He narrowed his eyes at mom, trying to read her and then pressed his lips tightly.

"I am not going anywhere! Pia is my sis and I have the right to know what talk it is" he said folding his hands and giving a challenging look to oppose him. Mom was about to say something, but I jumped in.

"It's okay, he is Sid mom! Say whatever you wanna say" I said mom reassuringly and smiled completely.

"Beta, tomorrow a business acquaintance of your dad is coming home for lunch..." She said and I felt there's something more to it.

"And...?" I asked her to continue further.

"And I want you to be there" she said and sighed. I frowned. That's it? Why was she giving such a huge build up for such a small thing? Definitely something is wrong.

"Mom! I know this is not you wanted to say. Come to the point straight away" I asked her impatiently and she looked at me.

"They are coming to see you as their son's bride Pia" mom said in one go and my grew as wide as saucers. What the fuck? Is she serious? Before I could react, I heard Sid's yell.

"What!? Are you gone crazy mom!?" He yelled at mom and I frowned again. What is such a huge problem to him if I get married? I have a problem, not him here.

"Sid!" Mom called out sternly, warning him at his tone. He looked at her raising his eyebrows as if, they are talking some eye language, about something I don't know and after a starring contest, Sid looked down.

"Shit!" He cursed immediately taking his mobile in his hand and tapped something urgently and closed his eyes in frustration. I looked at him questioningly for his act. Why did he react so weird about the phone? He took a deep breath in and opened his eyes. He was clearly angry about this thing.

"Are you serious mom?" He asked in a low tone this time and mom nodded.

"I want you to meet him once Pia. He is a very good guy and the family is very good too" mom said looking back at me.

"Mom, you know I don't wanna marry now. I want to be something in my career and then get married. Especially not arranged marriage please" I said to her my wishes and she just smiled at me.

"I can very well understand you. Everyone feels the same beta, I too felt the same. Your age is 30 and I want to see you as a bride soon" she said cupping my face with her hand. I heard an 'unbelievable' from Sid.

"And moreover, it's not that we are forcing you to get married or anything else. Just meed the boy once and the decision is all yours" she added further and got up to leave. I looked at Sid and he just gave me a shocked and a look of disbelief. I know, it came as a shocker. We never expected this from our mon atleast.

"I want you to think about it Pia, they are coming for a lunch tomorrow. You are free to ask me about their details once you are ready" saying so, she left the room, leaving me completely blank.

"I want to be alone" I said to Sid, not looking at him and he left the room quietly. I ran my hands up and down my face, trying to digest what mom said just now. I felt the sudden need of fresh air. I climbed down the bed and slid open the door of the balcony, walking into it.

It was already night and dark. I took a deep breath in, wrapping my arms around myself, letting the breeze brush past me. The weather was windy and it was just starting to drizzle. The air was cool, cooling my senses along with it. I just stood there for sometime, closing my eyes and relishing the fresh environment.

The weather was just amazing, so good, completely opposite to my life nowadays. I was such a mess these days. I don't understand where these all things are taking me in my life. Why is my life so harsh on me? What does it wants from me? Don't I deserve happiness?

First of all, I have to be in an accident years ago due to which I don't remember even a freaking thing from my past. It kills me daily to even think about it. It hurts even me when I think of what must have happened to my previous family and I didn't even know I had one or not. Then when I was coping up with everything and moving on, I had to fall in love with a man who loves someone else already.

As if these things weren't enough, mom asked me about my marriage today. She never asked me anything till date! This is the family that helped me and I can't afford to hurt them. But... But what about my feelings? What about my love, who doesn't even know that I have feelings for him and loves someone else. I want to build my career first and mend this already broken heart. Am I expecting something too much from my life?

Few tears flew down my cheeks, giving me chills as the wind blew against the water on my skin. I wiped them and took deep breaths to calm myself down. I opened my eyes, only to be shocked to see Swayam standing beside me, smiling at me.

I looked at him wide eyed and his smile grew wider. He wiped my tears and gestured me to smile, stretching my lips. I looked into his eyes to just see the calmness, the love, the assuring vibe he had in him. He gave a sad smile to me. I just wanted to hug him at that moment and I did the same.

I jerked a bit, balancing myself and saw that Swayam was not there anymore. I turned and looked to my right, left and even behind but he was nowhere! Soon I realised that it was just my illusion and I rushed inside my room and lied on my bed, hugging the pillow to myself and letting a few tears flow freely.

Maybe this is what life wants from me. Maybe this is the only way for me to forget about Swayam and move on from him. Maybe marriage is not that bad idea and I can give my life my another chance. But just the thought of forgetting Swayam was stabbing my heart million times, everytime I thought of it. But this is reality and I have to accept it. Tossing and turning on my bed, I waited for sleep to engulf me as soon as possible...

Swayam's POV

What's the fuck!? Is it true what I just heard? How can Mrs. Mehra bring a proposal for Pia even after knowing the past of us! I tried to call back Sid and talk to him about what the hell just happened but he wasn't responding it.

Yes, it was Sid who used to call me daily on a video call, so that I could see my Sharon atleast once in a day. I couldn't be without seeing her, especially after what happened and I requested Sid to do this. He agreed, but not before a lot of teasing! Today I was on call, even if there was a lot of disturbance as I loved to hear her voice, being absolutely quiet so that Pia doesn't have any doubt about it, but what I heard shook me to the core!

My Sharon is my wife! I love her and I can't let this happen. Even thinking of her as someone else's took my breath away from me. I will have to talk to Pia about my feelings soon. I can't afford to loose her again. I can't let her walk out of my life again. I have to talk to her. I have to!!! She is my wife for god's sake and I will do anything possible to get her back, even if it means saying her the truth at once...

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