Even after a playful morning, Ambar was still in a mood to ridicule Nakul.

She had her reasons to do so.
First of all, he didn't apologise for lying to them. Secondly, he didn't even thank her for saving him from his so called friend and the last and the most important one was that it was fun to irritate him and she absolutely loved it.
Throughout the elevator ride, she passed some sarcastic remarks about the whole thing which had happened earlier.

Nakul was already irked up by her earlier prank and because of the way, people were staring at him and his leather pants.

Uh! He hated wearing them. They were so uncomfortable.
How could anybody wear such clothes?
And why did he keep it?
Surely his fascination for his brother's old clothes which were a trend many years ago had now vanished completely. This was his little secret and he didn't want anyone to know about it.
Especially the girl next to him, who just flashed a full toothed grin in his way.

"Kiddo! This is such a Bee-Bee day." She purposefully stretched the word.

Here goes another, Nakul just rolled his eyes.

"What is Bee-Bee?" Aakash blinked up at her and Ambar suppressed her mirth.

"Why don't you ask your chachu? He might tell you in a better way." She glanced at Nakul who just shook his head in exasperation.
"Chachu?" Aakash waited to hear an answer from him but he just sighed before the elevator pinged open and Nakul walked out in vexation.

"Grumpy!" Ambar glared at him before turning to the little boy.

He was dazed out. Ambar sighed before covering up.

"It means beautifully brightened." Ambar replied and he nodded as they both followed Nakul to their suite.

It was almost evening and Nakul was still in his room. He didn't even had his lunch.

Ambar wondered whether she had really crossed her line this time because of which he was so angry and may be a little hurt too.

Aakash was bored but he didn't complain about it. Surely, the boy was getting matured by each passing day.
Weird?
For a five year old to have it. She didn't get it even at the age of twenty one.

Ambar trudged out and knocked the door of his room.

He opened the door surprising her.

He was no longer dressed in that outfit, instead he was now in a white tshirt and a black jeans.
Ambar bit her lips as she was busy shamelessly checking him out. When her eyes landed on his face, she saw his brows furrowed and slightly raised in confusion.

"You are dressed!" She stated.

"So shouldn't I be wearing?" He huffed.

"Yea-" She almost blurted out.

"What?". He asked.

"Nothing. Actually you're not in those clothes." She ward off her gaze, dispelling the embarrassing situation.

"Don't tell me that you expected me to wear it the entire day..." His voice panicked.

"May be, I did." She let out a nervous chuckle and he shook his head.

"So you shopped?" She asked him.

"No. I'm wearing small shot's clothes... It's really tight fitted." This was his turn to show her some sarcasm whilst Ambar narrowed her eyes.

"Why were you knocking?" He queried all of a sudden.

"Actually... I.... No .... We are bored." Ambar answered heading directly to the point..

"We?"

"Yes, I guess you've forgotten that this wasn't supposed to be a business trip but a fun trip. I thought that we came here to cheer someone up." She snapped at him, eyeing his laptop which displayed some statistical data on the screen.

"I'm sorry." She was caught off guard by his instant apology.

"I'd just sum up... Wait a second..." He smiled before shutting his laptop.

"And it's done." He said before glancing towards her.

"That's too soon for you." She sighed as she leered at her wrist watch before stepping out of his room.

Nakul grinned and closed the door behind him as they both turned to the boy whose eyes were glued to the television.

"What are you watching small shot?" Nakul asked him.

"ABP News." Aakash replied with a stern face and Nakul turned his head to the television screen which had nothing but some cartoon which he might have liked when he was a kid but not anymore.

Ambar and Aakash laughed after witnessing his appalled expressions.

"Chachu, I fooled you. I fooled you... I fooled you.." Aakash jumped as he teased him and Nakul immediately started tickling him, earning more of his tee hee in process.

"Chachu... stop..." Aakash panted hard as Nakul continued to do it.

Ambar giggled but stopped when they pulled her with them on the bed and started to do the same with her.

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"Where are we going? Aren't we going to visit the renowned golden temple?" Ambar asked him as he continued to drive the car.

"Of course we will but not now."

"Then where?"

"It's a surprise." Nakul's eyes twinkled.

"Stop with your surprises." Ambar scowled and he smiled.

"I know chachu, where you're taking us." Aakash turned to Nakul.

"You do?" His eyes widened.

"Yes, I did some research before coming here." Aakash replied, leaving both of them stupified.

Indeed, the kid was growing up too fast.

"Aakash, tell me also..." Ambar requested

"And here we are." Nakul announced interrupting her and abruptly stopped the car.

"This is your surprise?" Ambar failed to keep the dissatisfaction out of her voice.

"Yes, now come on." He got out of the car with Aakash and Ambar joining them.

As soon as she was out of the car, few men approached her, appearing out of the blue and started painting her hand.

"Hey!" She protested backing off.

"Only twenty bucks." The man said but Ambar was quick enough to pull her hand from him.

"I don't want it." She denied and eyed Nakul who was now carrying Aakash in his arms.
He quickly paced towards her and pulled her to his side.

"Let's go." He said grabbing her arm protectively.

"What was that?" She asked him, horrified.

"Be careful... and stick to me." He instructed her and she gulped before bobbing her head, positively.

"Where are we?" She couldn't be more desperate.

"Wagah border." He grinned at her.

"Oh! So are we going to see any war here like it shows in the movies?" She queried and they laughed.

"No Amy! Chachu brought us for an evening parade, right chachu?" Aakash asked him.

"Right!"

"Why are these people running?" She asked him.

"Enthusiasm!" He smiled before teasing her.

"Do you have one?"

"Of course." She answered, taking up the challenge.

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Upon disembarking a walk or a run from the drop off point to the ceremony, they finally made it to the 'VIP' section, much to Ambar's astonishment.

People were decked in colourful sarees and traditional costumes which had filled the pitch and the soldiers embellished with badges and pins stood firm, guarding the prestigious ceremony. Soldiers participating in the ceremony, the Border Security Force (BSF) had a red head gear, spreading out like a peacock's feathers. It was a really unique ceremonial uniform, pretty but also giving an aura of importance and solemnity. Soon, the festivities started.

Nakul, Ambar and Aakash along with the crowd cheered boisterously for them. When the festivities concluded, the ceremony began and soldiers thrusted their legs upwards and manoeuvred passive aggressively. They marched into neat formations and often kicked their legs high up as a way of displaying strength. The parade was really grand and showed the discipline of the soldiers guarding the border. The competitive cheering between the two nations 'India and Pakistan', with each shout getting louder on the both sides, also gave them chills. The atmosphere was intense and filled with nationalistic fervour.
Their tongue were rolled up with national slogans and patriotic songs.

After an hour of the parade and cheering, the ceremony came to an end with soldiers from each side standing off and shaking hands, a symbol of the two countries rivalry, as well as brotherhood and cooperation between the two nations.

Throughout the ceremony, Nakul felt elated to see Ambar's radiant face which was indeed priceless. Even Aakash was in high spirited.

When they were finally back to their car, he ignited the engine, driving off.
The sun had set and the place was darkening.

"Thanks for bringing me here, I can't explain how chuffed, I am." Ambar thanked him profusely.

"I'm glad that you enjoyed it." Nakul said while gripping the steering wheel.

"Chachu! I'm hungry." Aakash chimed.

"Yes, small shot." Nakul glanced at the boy who was seated at the backseat.

The car halted at one of the famous diners.

They relished on the local delicacies before leaving for their next destination which was the golden temple.

Ambar quickly covered her head with the scarf while Nakul and Aakash wore the head wraps which were given to them at the entrance.

"Have you been here before?" Ambar enquired softly.

"Yes! On a family trip before Aakash was born." Nakul smiled at the fond memory.

"Oh!" Her smile faltered.
At least he was fortunate to have a family, unlike her.
Currently, she envied him more than she had done it before.
The only family she ever had after her parents demise was Amrita.
Her Dida! She missed her so much. She didn't even knew where she was. The only time she heard her voice was only once when she had received her call.

"Chachu! Mumma came here?" Aakash's voice brought her out of trance.

"Yes! We all did. Your mumma prayed to have a healthy and adorable baby like you and see, we got you from the almighty." Nakul pecked his forehead.

"So if I pray here for Dadda's recovery, he'll wake up?" Aakash questioned.

"That's why I brought you here, small shot." Nakul answered as he placed him down.

Her eyes darted to reflection of the temple in the pond located in the premises of the Gurudwara as it glimmered under the moonlight. The domes were made out of gold and it was most magnificent sight which Ambar had ever came across.

As they walked towards the shrine, they had their hand clasped while their feet had turned cold.

Ambar closed her eyes.
She was really very grateful for all the good things she had in her life.

Her parents blessing, Amrita, Vashisht.
And now Aakash and Nakul.

She prayed for all of them. She wanted them to be lively and glorious wherever they were.

She lastly prayed for herself.

Like Nakul, even she didn't wanted to lose anyone of them.
That was her final wish which she had prayed for.

"Are you done?" Nakul waited for her.

"Yes." She beamed, turning to him.

"Good." He said and she followed them until her eyes found someone all of a sudden.

Precisely, a man whose face, she had failed to notice.

Before she could assess something, she tried to go after him but he had disappeared like a thin air.

"Hey! Where are you going?" She could see concern in Nakul's eyes as he carried Aakash, approaching towards her.

"No... Nothing!" She shrugged.

May be she was just imagining things or was she stalked by someone, she knew.

"I'm tired, can we go back to the hotel?" She implored and he agreed immediately seeing how much exhausted, she looked.

"Okay, let's leave."

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Hello everyone.

Sorry for the late update. Blame the writer's block.

I wanted to update before sunday but I couldn't.

Even wattpad gives me a hard time. I had to write all over again.

Talking about the chapter, who do you think is stalking her?

What will happen now?
Write to me and please do vote.

Sorry if any mistakes.

The picture posted above is the one taken by me. Not a clear one though but it's beautiful.

I miss that December trip from college.
Amritsar, Kullu Manali and finally Chandigarh.

If you really get a chance, do visit those places.

Thank you for your support and love.

♥♡♥..