Author's note : Who do the readers want Anukriti to be paired up with? Say it through the comments below. A big thank you to aarushiyadav for her constant comments and votes. I am updating this chapter again after doing some required additions. I am really happy that people are liking this novel. Please vote and comment on it if you like it. Also I am planning to change the casting for Mridul. Which actor do you all want to see Mridul as? Please comment and let me know.

Stay blessed everyone
With love,
Arpita Gupta

Nikhil's diary
27th May 2014 (11 :00 pm)
Dear diary, 

After gulping the sleeping pills, I immediately felt that my head was throbbing and blood came out of my mouth and nose. I tried to walk a bit but I fell down and after that I don't remember what happened to me.

I remember that I was lying on a bed that was clearly not mine. My body pained badly, plus I was panicking. I touched my face, and I felt a mask. Then I saw my dad sitting beside the bed. I wanted to ask and he saw that and removed the mask. I questioned him, "Dad, where am I? Why is my body paining so much?" But before I could ask more, I was gasping for breath.

He placed the mask again and ran his fingers through my hair and said, "You are in ICU. Now go to sleep. We can talk about other things later. Don't stress yourself too much."

I was shifted from the ICU after two days to a room. I did not expect that my stupid act could bring me to such a vulnerable state. I looked at my mom as she came to feed me and said, "I am sorry for what I did. I regret it."

"It's okay. Just take rest right now, "my mom looked at me sadly.

"When will I be discharged? And by the way who brought me here?"

"Anukriti was the one who called the ambulance and us. She was crying a lot and when we saw you at that point of time even I couldn't control myself.
Nikhil, you could have died or become impaired for life by this action. If you ever had any problem, you should have said it to me or your dad instead of trying to escape from the problem in this way. Once we will be at home, we would like to know the reason for your depression. It will take around a week or so to recover enough to take you home. "

Tears strickled down my cheeks freely. I could not turn the clock back. My mom wiped the tears and then resumed," Crying out is good for you. At least by this technique you are venting your emotions. Try to eat a bit (since I was vomiting a lot) and then sleep. "

After a day, while I was taking a shower, my masi (mother's sister) called out from outside and told me that a girl wants to meet me. I was expecting Anukriti but was shocked when I saw Shreya." Why does she have to act as if she hates me? Shreya, you really don't have good acting skills, "I thought.

"Oh hey Shreya. Nice to see you", I politely greeted her.

"Hi Nikhil. How are you? You do look quite pale and weak."

"Getting bored. I looked at my face in the mirror. Thanks for reminding me that I am in a pathetic state. I want to go home and sleep. Head and stomach hurt a lot. I am not even able to digest any liquid except water. By the way what is going on in school? How many people know about my condition?"

"The test cycle is starting from the next week. Quite unexpected since they had earlier informed that it would take place only in December. Only me, Anukriti, Arjun and Satvik know about your condition. Your parents have said the class teacher that you suffer from jaundice. I hope that you know it. "

"I didn't know that. Why did you come to see me?" Honestly, I was surprised.

"A bit of compassion maybe, I really don't know what made me visit you. You shouldn't have done that for that bitch Khushi. I met your parents and they are very worried about you. Anu told me everything what had happened. Sorry I forgot to tell you, but I brought my notes to copy down in your free time if you feel well enough. "

"Thank you so much for the help. I would hand over them tomorrow for sure. I haven't done this for Khushi. There are other reasons which I don't want to state. Please don't make me feel guiltier. I am already ashamed of what I did", I replied while combing my hair.

"I didn't want to stress you. Your parents would kill me if they saw you stressed up because of me."

Meanwhile at that time the nurse entered inside and told that the visiting time is over.

"Get well soon idiot", she said smiling.
"Bye and you look good when you smile, so keep smiling,"I said her genuinely not being flirtatious.

I was discharged after a week. It felt good to return to your home, your room after so many days. It was around 8:00 pm when I finally reached home. I was very tired and so just slept. But I was interrupted when I got a call at midnight from Mridul asking me to come to my home tomorrow. He sounded really tense. He had been to Kolkata for around two weeks for Durga Puja celebrations and to see his maternal grandfather who had a heart attack.

The next day, I had an awful headache and so I decided to sleep. But I was just switching sides nervously. It was at this time that I saw Anukriti and Satvik approaching and meeting my mother. I sneaked and listened to their conversation.

"Namaste aunty", they both said in unison.

"Hello beta, how are you? Anu are you good? "

"Yeah I am good. How is Nikhil? "

"He is much better than the last time you seen him. By the way do you both have any idea why did he attempt to take his life? "

"I don't know how to start. I may not be able to tell you. I am sorry", Anu said.

"Please beta", my mom replied, her voice choking with sobs.

Then she started off. She told my mother that I had been in pain from the last year. I had severe headaches but I ignored them and because of that their intensity and frequency increased. I had always felt lonely. Due to their busy schedules, they didn't have time even for themselves, let alone for me. I and my parents were living like strangers in the same roof, oblivious about each other's lives. Then that Khushi thing happened which was the icing on the cake. She put the blame on me even though it was her mistake and I had to listen to rude and humiliating remarks for no reason.

My mom looked at her, shocked. She should not have said all at one go.

"Maybe you are right Anu. We both ignored him for our careers. "
With that my mother cried.

"Stop crying auntie. You still have a chance to mend your relationship with him. "

"I can't see him in such pain. Physically and emotionally, he had gone through searing pain but we ignored him. We have failed in our duty."

"Auntie please don't cry. By the way where is Nikhil?" Satvik said, sensing that my mother needed some time alone.

"He is in his room over there. The last time I checked, he was sleeping", auntie told.

"Thank you so much and take care."

I acted as if I was sleeping and did not know that they were coming. Anu shook me a bit. I came out of the acting mode and said hello to both of them. She gave a fake smile. Her eyes expressed that she was really sad but was showing everything is normal for my sake.

"Hey Nikhil", Satvik said, interrupting my thoughts.

"How is everything going in school?" I asked Satvik.

"Good. Anu screwed up Khushi's reputation, "Satvik stated, smiling smiling at me. At that time, Anu had gone to attend a call of Shreya.

"But how?" I asked, surprised.

"After your suicide attempt, the next day, she went to meet Kanav Taneja. He didn't expect that his sister had stooped down that low. She said that she would not hesitate to leak the video of her kissing Ved Mittal, if she didn't apologise Anu and Nikhil for the rumours she created. Also, since Nikhil was in hospital because of suicide attempt so she can get the blame transferred on Khushi for his condition. Plus, Khushi's family is orthodox, so problem would arise if her parents got to know about her affairs. He said sorry for her conduct and asked her what he could do. She just said that she will do all the things, he just needs to act as if he doesn't know anything about it. He asked to meet Nikhil and say him sorry but Anu declined the offer.

The next day, during the recess, while Khushi and her group were in washroom, she forcefully held Khushi's hand and dragged her out of the washroom to the corridor. For a few minutes, her friends looked at both of them, shocked. She slapped Khushi in front of all the people.
"Who the fuck gave you the right to insult me like that?" she said, fuming.

"Who the fuck gave you the right to create rumours about me and Nikhil kissing?" Anu replied with more anger filled in her eyes. Quite honestly I was scared by her anger.

"Ah! So Ms Anukriti Jain finally came to defend her beau. Just buzz off. And by the way, you sabotaged our relationship. You were always there with him, not allowing me to enjoy with him."

"I am not his girlfriend. And even if what you are saying is true, that still doesn't give you the right to cheat on him. And for your information, your brother knows what you have done," as soon as she heard that

"I hope that your parents know about you and Mridul. And if not, I would be grateful to do the honours. Mridul's mother opposes the concept of relationships. So your stupidity would have the impact on Mridul. Remember that. "

I went as a damage control and tried to get Anu out of the situation. Khushi started abusing me as well. But I didn't say a word in response as I didn't want myself to stoop down to her level.

"I will make your life hell Khushi. Watch out. I have got that video. You didn't know one thing, Mridul has one of the most influential people as his brother, and he is on my side. So he helped me get the video clip. Your life will be living hell from today as I have already sent it to your parents. Enjoy. "With that I whisked her out.

But yesterday, after many days, Mridul returned from Kolkata, and he heard about your rumoured kiss with Anu, plus he thought that Anu had leaked the news that he was her boyfriend, which he wanted to conceal. So he found Anu and announced a break up with her, without even letting her say her side of the story. She was hurt by his action.

At night, around 10 pm, I got a call from her, saying that Mridul had apologised her. But she did not reconcile with him, saying that her self-respect was more important than any relationship. That is why she is upset. "

I looked at him, shocked. By that time, Anu had returned. We diverted the issue to Rajnikanth movies. I switched on the TV and it was Rajnikanth movie playing on the channel, just by chance. We started dubsmashing and it was a really a funny experience. I could see her genuine smile. I had a good laugh after so many days of gloom and boredom.

After around 2-3 hours of chitchat, she decided to leave. But when I went to drop her off, I saw Mridul coming. Anu and Mridul stared at each other for some time, then she faced me and said, "Bye Nikhil, take care." But when she was stepping out, Mridul held her hand.

"Leave my hand. It's hurting", she said angrily. Tears welled up in her eyes.

"Leave her hand", I said sternly. "There are more civil ways to talk." I didn't know how, but I had regained my form for the first time.

"Only if she is willing to listen." It seemed as if they shot daggers at each other. I did not want a scene in front of my mom and so I asked them to proceed to the lawn.

"I don't believe Mridul you could be such a jerk. You should have at least heard her side of the story. "I said as I took them to the lawn.

"Phaansi de de mujhe is galti ke liye. Kya karun main tu hi bata de Nikhil? (Just hang me for my mistake. You tell me what I should do Nikhil.) Try to keep yourself in my place. I am more screwed than you right now. My sister in law died this August, then grandfather had a heart attack, and then my uncle also had a stroke yesterday night. "He took a pause and then said," Anu, I am really sorry for what I did. I mean it. I don't want that you apologise me because of sympathy but rather because of my sincere attempt to seek forgiveness. "

"It is okay Mridul. I know you mean it. Hope everything gets alright. We can be friends if not in a relationship ", Anu replied back, giving a caressing look.

Finally like a typical Bollywood movie things started to get normal. He agreed willingly. After some time he got a call from his elder cousin that his uncle had a minor heart attack and he was safe. Now I should return back to the present and tell you what happened at my home.

"Nikhil what happened to you?" Mom came forward to ask me.

"Oh that", I said pointing to my swelled nose, "I had a fight with Satvik."

"We are spending our money for your good education not for all these things. Now tell me what happened? "

I narrated my story from the scratch. Mom looked at me with her eyes blazing with anger. She then said," I knew that Anukriti had cancer. That is way I said you to keep distance from her. "

"What? Why didn't you tell me before? "

"I couldn't tell you because she didn't want me to tell you," my mom said.

I was too aghast to learn this. I didn't know how to react. My mother had hid that from me. I just went to my room and cried. Everything changed for me from today.

Bye
Nikhil