"You don't listen or you do not understand Prabir? Even if I agree with what you say...that Shekhar was just extremely jealous and out of his mind...to have said those things it still doesn't change anything. The truth is he doesn't trust Bhawani enough. He feels highly insecure about this relationship. Yesterday it was you...stealing his girl and maybe tomorrow it's gonna be someone else."

"Isn't it obvious that he should feel that way Bhargu? He's still unsure if Bhawani really loves him or if he's just a replacement for Ishaan. Even we don't know what Bhawani feels for him, weather it's just a casual liking or something more. Now, I have a hunch that Bhawani shares a...love hate relationship with Mayank as well.

Shekhar was pissed at the party because all he wanted was Bhawani's undivided attention but she rather was only worried about some stalker and a creepy pervert."

Bhargavi and Prabir were engaged in a heated debate, while returning from the college. Shekhar had sincerely apologized to Prabir and was forgiven instantly.

One could mark the guilt, shame and embarrassment on Shekhar's face even from a distance. This however, wasn't the first time he had asked for forgiveness. His texts went unseen and calls were never answered by Prabir. All his attempts to meet Prabir in person failed miserably, as he had made up his mind, to not forgive him easily.

Finally,the exams were over. A couple of days had flown out as if it were mere seconds. Shekhar had joined his hands and had fallen upon his knees before a huge audience. He wanted to fix things, and mend his broken relationship with Prabir. He had given up all hopes of being forgiven by Bhawani but somewhere in his heart, he felt that he would be forgiven by Prabir and not forgotten, as if he never existed.

Both Prabir and Bhargavi had heard Bhawani yell at Shekhar on her phone, one evening,
" How do I forgive you...when all you've done is dug up a huge hole in my heart and left me to bleed? You are not bothered with what I think or how I feel. The only thing that concerns you is...you.
It was his birthday and it was supposed to be a very special day for him...a day that he would cherish for his entire life, you've ruined everything. And you think that I am a slut? Listen, I have an exam tomorrow, so stop annoying me with your bullshit excuses. I have better things to do."

Unable to forgive Shekhar for his callous remarks and false suspicions, on Prabir's birthday, that had hurt both Bhawani and Prabir, Bhargavi wasn't happy with Prabir's decision of forgiving Shekhar and gossiping and giggling with him as if nothing had changed.

"If I told you something terribly hurtful, would you never forgive me Bhargu? Let it go this time...once...for me please. He's repenting and has admitted his mistake," Prabir said softly, holding Bhargavi's hands in his. Mutely nodding Bhargavi ended their ongoing arguments and smiled at him.

Ms. Nalini had recovered and was now capable of returning to her normal day to day life. Long hours of standing or sitting in a continuous stretch was however, not recommended by the doctor.

Stuffing her books and clothes in a bag carelessly, Bhargavi had begun to pack her belongings. She had no reason to stay in Prabir's house anymore. Suddenly, walking in Prabir froze, it was all too sudden for him to come to terms with. "Will you be leaving today?" He asked hoarsely, his voice hardly recognizable.

Looking at him sadly, she mumbled,"Will you miss me?"

Unable to speak up, Prabir looked away. Wrapping her arms across his chest from the back, Bhargavi murmured softly,"I'll miss you a lot Prabir." With a stream of tears gushing down his face like a waterfall, Prabir softly removed her hands encircling him and turned around to face her.

"Prabir!" She gasped at the sight and dragged him by his arm. "Sit down," she urged him, reaching the bed. Wiping off his tears delicately, with a gentle smile, she said,"Now I have a red nosed little bear," observing his nose turn a little pinkish.

"I'll be just a call away Prabir and...now that Maa has recovered quite well, we can start making plans to get married as soon as possible," Bhargavi mumbled.

"The logical part of my brain's dead Bhargu, there's no point explaining," he said smiling through tears.

Cupping his face she kissed on his temple saying,"Prabir. Had you accepted one of the job offers, you would have to leave Jaroha. But you decided to stay back...sacrificing your career. I know you would say that both Paru and uncle depend on you and you can't leave them, but I want you to live your life to the fullest. I'll look after Paru and uncle, you have nothing to worry. I know it will be hard at first but eventually, they'll get used to it."

"There's no life without you and Paru and Baba...I am not leaving Jaroha. If I can't be there for the people I care about, when they need me the most, it's definitely better not to live at all," he snapped back. Picking up a pillow, she started to hit him till he grabbed her and wept like a child,"Please! Don't go Bhargu. Please don't leave me."

"Okay! I'll see what I can do. Now stop crying please," she requested.

"What will you do? Maa won't let you stay here any longer," Prabir murmured, his head resting on her belly. Bending low, she kissed on his head and neck whispering,"I'll come up with something don't worry."

"Bhaiya! Nalini aunty is calling you," Parul came in chiming happily and Prabir had to let go Bhargavi. "What's wrong?" Parul asked concerned. "Di are you leaving? But..."

"Paru. Now you don't start crying like him. Exams are just over, we should have some fun instead. Come let's go to an ice cream parlour. It's my treat," Bhargavi said cheerfully.

"Is this the last treat you're offering us before you leave...like the last time you gave us all a gift before you left?" Prabir quizzed and glanced at the chiming dream catcher hung up on his window.

"I'm not leaving Prabir. Cheer up now," Bhargavi said, moving her fingers softly in his hair.

Searching through all her old dresses, Bhargavi searched for something presentable in her cupboard. Returning back to the Banerjee residence she swiftly changed and got ready. Prabir and the rest were waiting for her to come downstairs patiently, for an hour now. It was decided that they will not only go to an ice cream parlor but go to a Cineplex to watch a movie.

"What's taking her so long? Bhaiya, we'll be late for the movie. Maybe I should go and check," Parul sighed.

"I'll go," Prabir stated and rushed upstairs. Knocking on the door, he waited for a reply. The door instantly flew open. Standing in front Bhargavi winked at him, she had put on a mid thigh length short skirt and a black top.

"What? I am inviting trouble, showcasing my legs? This skirt is too short? And I have absolutely no dressing sense?" Bhargavi quizzed.

"No! No! You're beautiful. I mean...you look beautiful. Let's go if you're done."

"You don't have any problem with me wearing this?"

"Why would I have any problem Bhargu? Yeah! But it's a bit chilly outside and I think you should reconsider wearing this skirt."

"This dress is making me uncomfortable Prabir. How are you okay with this?"

"Then why are you wearing this?"

"Because, if Maa finds out that I chose to put this on before moving out, she's going to disown me as her daughter and probably she'll just throw me out of the house and then...I can come running back to my paradise."

Laughing at her innocence, Prabir slumped on the chair. "You're laughing? I spent hours to find this and this...this is too tight. It's crushing my waist line."

"Oh! You're so..."

"Childish?" She asked sadly.

Getting up from the chair, he walked straight up to her and embraced her. "Put on something that makes you feel comfortable. I'll be back. You have five minutes. Yes! I can wait for an hour or two or even more if needed, but everyone else is getting impatient. Paru doesn't want to miss out on the movie.
Let's have fun tonight Bhargu. I promise, we'll figure out something,so that your stay here can be extended."

Mayank was left out from this plan on purpose by Prabir, as he didn't want to intentionally hurt Bhawani, but what amazed him was that he was gladly invited by Bhawani herself. Thus, it turned out like a triple date, with three couples - Mayank and Bhawani, Sarvesh and Parul, Prabir and Bhargavi.

When Bhargavi came downstairs in a a pair of skinny dark blue jeans with large knee abrasions and the black turtleneck sleeveless t-shirt, Prabir slowly handed her a blush pink light blazer. "Throw it on, it's a bit cold and chilly outside," he said smiling, before they left in Sarvesh's car. Though Sarvesh was seated beside the chauffeur, he kept adjusting the mirrors to look at the panicked face of Parul, who was afraid that they would certainly miss the first part of the movie. Sarvesh played some music to lessen the effect of the chilled silence, that accompanied them as if they were about to attend someone's funeral. Though both Mayank and Bhawani had agreed for this idea, unlike Parul or Sarvesh they were neither happy nor excited about it.

For Prabir and Bhargavi, it was a completely different story, none of them cared a bit about the movie and would have like to be spared from pretending that they were thrilled and delighted to watch the movie. They had decided to join only to ensure that the kids were safe. Dr. Menon's advice had be taken into consideration, Bhawani couldn't be let out of sight, especially not with Mayank around.

They reached just in time, before the movie started and had no time to buy snacks or drinks. It was an action thriller. For almost an hour, Bhargavi had her eyes glued, not on the big screen but on Prabir. She intently looked into his eyes till he pulled her in his arms and softly stroked her hair, dropping light kisses on her head.

"You're feeling sad? You okay?"He asked in whispers.

"How immensely joyful it would be, if on our return we found out that Maa has agreed to Uncle's marriage proposal...if we could all stay together," Bhargavi mumbled and noticed Bhawani crying. She seemed to be engrossed in her own world, though she blankly kept staring at the big bright screen.

"She is weeping for an hour. She needs to let out her emotions, that she'd bottled up all this time, focussing only on the exams. Mayank is in an emotional turmoil, he doesn't know if he should try and comfort her, or leave her on her own. His facial features state an unexplainable excruciating pain that's burning him from within," Prabir said in return.

They saw Mayank place Bhawani's head on his chest, as he whispered something in her ears. The sitting arrangement wasn't according to the plan, as they had hurriedly occupied the seats before the movie started. Parul and Sarvesh were seated in the middle with Prabir and Bhargavi on their right and Mayank and Bhawani on their left.

Mayank tried to wipe off Bhawani's tears, brushing his index finger on her cheeks. When Bhawani leaned over him and wept bitterly, he started to softly stroke her hair. Then the tears rolling down her cheeks finally stopped when he told her something that was inaudible to Prabir and Bhargavi.

When the movie ended, people started to leave. Sarvesh was the first one in the row to leave, followed by Parul.Prabir and Bhargavi who were seated in a corner in the row, found Mayank still glued to his chair while they were passing him.
Bhawani was soundly asleep, with her head resting on his chest.

"She had a headache and I...I was massaging and then she fell asleep," he tried to clarify. "Bhawani! Bhawani! Wake up," Bhargavi called.

Slowly, rubbing her eyes, she woke up grumpily and clinged to Bhargavi. "Good morning Di," she said softly. Instead of telling her that it was 9p.m. almost time for dinner, Bhargavi replied back," Good morning dear, come let's go."

"Di. I am hungry, I'm starving so early in the morning," she complained and bumped into the chairs in the front, while trying to walk. "Careful Bhawu," Prabir said.

Looking around carefully, Bhawani came back to her senses and realized that they were all in a Cineplex for a movie. "It might be because of the medicines I take, that I always feel this sleepy and sluggish," Bhawani sighed yawning. She had to be guided out by Bhargavi, who firmly held her arm. Bhawani had stayed up awake all night for the last four days, splashing lots and lots of water on her face every now and then, because intake of caffeine wasn't allowed. It could turn her meds ineffective.

Unable to cope up any longer with the mental and emotional stress, she was in need of rest badly. Prabir carried her in his arms swiftly, taking her to the car once they were outside. They decided to have ice creams and return home without having dinner. Cancelling the dinner plans meant, either they could order something online or pack up something from a nearby restaurant and carry it home on their way.

Ordering food online, they returned home after having ice creams. Prabir only prepared meals for Ms. Nalini, Ms. Jyotshna (Mayank's mother) and his father, Mr. Banerjee, with Bhargavi's help.

"Will she not eat anything?" Mayank asked looking at Bhawani, who was laid down on the couch in the living room by Prabir.

"We'll wake her up don't worry," Prabir informed him with a smile, as they all had their dinner together, with everyone sitting on the floor, in a circle, except Mr. Banerjee who had perched himself comfortably on a chair.