"Ambar?" Manyata was surprised to receive her call.

"Hello ma'am, I hope I'm not disturbing you. I just called to apologise for yesterday." Ambar muttered in a low voice.

"Ambar, my dear. This is none of your fault dear. Actually I'm quite pleased with the way you stood up for yourself." Manyata proudly stated what she felt like.

"So, you aren't angry with me?" Ambar conferred.

"No dear. Absolutely not. By the way, I'm glad that you called. Anyway I'm leaving tomorrow. Hope to meet you soon." Manyata said.

"Yes ma'am. I would love to meet you and I want to thank you for everything you did." Ambar replied, skipping the details of yesterday's aftermath.

"Take care of yourself and stop calling me, ma'am. Please call me Auntie, dear." She requested.

"Sure ma'am. I mean Auntie. Take care and have a safe flight." She said smiling.

"Good bye, Ambar."

"Bye Auntie." She hung up the call feeling a burden lifted from her chest. If her mother would have been alive then she would've been just like Manyata.

She couldn't stop smiling after talking to her. She hugged her parents photograph before stepping into the kitchen.

Her house was nothing compared to her uncle's place.
It was just the size of her bedroom or her old room. Maybe even smaller than that.

Cooking was something which she adored but knew almost nothing about it.
All thanks to her cousin.
Amrita had taught her little of everything. Ambar knew that she had to do something as she was literally starving.

But there was nothing in the house. Nothing for her to cook.

She had a very little amount of cash in her piggy bank. Emptying it, she started counting.

The money she had collected, was not enough for her to survive even a week.

She needed more for which she had to look for a job.

Before she could think of anything else, she heard someone knock the door.
She opened it to find a middle age woman standing with a plate in her hand.

"I heard few voices here so I thought...." The lady's voice trailed off.

"Oh." Ambar nodded in understanding.

"Actually, I was surprised because this door is always locked. Oh, by the way, I'm Rachana. I live next door with my husband." She introduced herself.

"Hello, I'm Ambar."

"I've gotten you some breakfast." She forwarded the plate.

"Oh thank you." Ambar smiled awkwardly, taking the plate from her hand.

"Would you like to come in?" Ambar offered.

"No. Some other time. I've some errands to do." She denied politely.

"I just don't know how to thank you for this breakfast." Ambar said.

"It's no big deal. I just thought to help as it's your first day here."

"Actually it's my parents house. Though I haven't lived here for years but I do occasionally visit at times." Ambar explained while she nodded surprised.

"We moved here few months back. Never saw you here before nevertheless it was nice meeting you, I must leave. See you soon." The lady smiled before bidding goodbye.

"Thanks once again." She said and closed the door.

Ambar was extremely grateful.
At least, she was spared from all the cooking this morning.

After finishing her breakfast, she left to buy few necessities which she would be needing to survive.

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"Yes, Nakul!"

"Mom! They have arrived." Nakul informed her.

"Oh! Thank god, What about the nurse? Is she there?" Manyata asked.

"Yes, she is checking the vitals."

"Good! I'll just talk to her later." She was about to leave when he called her again.

"Mom!".

"Yeah! What's the matter?" She asked him.

"I'm really sorry." He apologised again.

"Would you stop it. Son, let's forget whatever happened. I just want everything well before I leave." She stroked his chin.

"Hmm." He sighed.

"Good." She smiled and left to see her other son.

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"Are you done with the packing?" She questioned him when they were having their dinner in the restaurant.

"Yes." He replied.

"Amy! I don't want to go." Vashisht said all of a sudden.

"Why?" She asked him while swigging her soup from the bowl.

"How can I leave you here?" He sounded sad.

"Vashisht! No more discussion on this. Why do you always remind me that I need someone to live my life?" Ambar was irritated by now. She was a grown up and she didn't need any of his sympathy.

"Ambar. I didn't mean to.." He was cut off in the middle.

"If you want to do something then help me find a job. If you know any of it where I can work, then tell me." She asked him.

"Actually Amy! You're just a graduate with no experience so."

"I don't want a high profile job. Anything would do." She replied knowing what he meant to say.

"I'll see and let you know before I leave tomorrow." He promised.

"Thanks." She smiled and continued eating.

It was almost eleven when he dropped her home. Vashisht had paid the bill despite of Ambar's attempt to contribute.

She was so furious with him, with time, with everything around but she knew that she had to let it go, let him go.
She was feeling all emotional with so many sudden changes.

"Thank you for being there with me always." She gave him a side hug.

At that moment, she wanted to tell him how much she loved him but his next words just blew away the idea.

He smiled before letting out.

"Best friends don't thank each other."

Best friend.
Right! she was just his best friend.
What was she thinking?
No way, she was ready to jeopardise her friendship with him.

"I pray that you have a good flight." She told him whilst getting out of the car.

"Aren't you coming to the airport?" He asked her.

"I won't be able to. I hate departures." She said truthfully.

"But Ambar..." He followed her.

"Vashisht, please don't force me and I have to start my job search from tomorrow." She reasoned while his face fell in disappointment.

"Okay! I'll send you the details of some companies who are recruiting staff by tomorrow morning." He assured.

"Okay! Thank you for helping me. I hope to find a job soon."

"That you'll find for sure. Even though you're a bit clumsy and unprofessional." He teased her while she hit him playfully making him laugh.

"But you'll do your best, I know." He praised her making her blush slightly.

"Now go, I'm very sleepy." She shoved him off.

"Okay sleepy head! Good night." He hugged her for the last time.

"Good night. I'll call you." She said before walking away while he got in the car and drove off.

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"Good morning, Mom!" He greeted her.

"Good morning dear!" She continued arranging her bags before looking up at him.

"I see, you're all set to leave." He scanned the packed bags.

"Yes I am. Oh God, I'll miss you all so terribly. My boy." She held him by his shoulder.

"I'm not a boy anymore." He retorted.

"I know but you'll always be one for me though. It seemed like only yesterday when I arrived here to surprise you all but fate had some different plans. Snatching away my daughter, silencing my eldest son and breaking my boy's heart." She weeped remembering each and every incident.

"Mom! I'm alright and Bhai is recovering. Although everything won't be same as before but we have to still live with the way it is." He talked sensibly, wiping her tears.

"I'm proud of you, dear and you know what? I don't have to worry about Aakash because I know that his Chachu will never let anything happen to him." She embraced him.

"I'll miss you, Mom! Take care of Aunt and even yourself." He whispered in her ears.

"You too. Don't skip meals and if you need me then just make a call." She murmured.
He replied with a nod.

"Driver will take you to the airport. Aakash will accompany you. Driver will drop him to the office. I'll look after him." He said further.

"Aren't you coming along?" She asked him.

"No. I hate departures, I'll call you." He kissed her forehead.

"Anyway I have a lot of work, Hiring new recruits today." He said.

"Are you? Good luck about that. What about Mr. Sahay?" She queried remembering Mr. Mittal's call.

"Yesterday, he had sent his resignation via email. I didn't want him to leave but he's not ready to face anyone after whatever happened. Anyway, I have recommended his name to another multinational company which is run by a friend of mine. By now, he must have received a call too." Nakul briefed every single detail to his mother.

"I'm happy that you're helping them despite of all the trauma, they've caused to their daughter and niece." Manyata smiled at his gesture.

"By the way, I've talked to the nurse. She'll be there around Mayank, I just hope that my son wakes up soon." She dismissed the topic.

"He will. Wait, I'll help you with this bags." He offered as he picked it up with his strong arms.

"Thank you dear." She walked out with him carrying her luggage.

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Melancholy spreads in the hearts to let the loved ones leave but that's what life is all about. Nothing stays the same always.
It goes on and they both had to move on.

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So, how was this one?

I'm pretty much sure that some of you might know, what will be in the upcoming chapter?

Those of you who don't, just keep on guessing.

I'm trying to update faster than usual.

If you're really liking the story then please vote and leave your comments.

I'd be glad to reply you all.

Thank you!

Until next time.

♥♡♥