Ambar glanced at her sister who appeared completely zoned out in the car on their way back to the mansion.

Her eyebrows were furrowed and her forehead was creased with lines.

Ambar wanted to know everything from her but Aakash had already directed her focus towards him as he continued to exhilarate his excitement of having a new friend even before the start of his school .

As the car abruptly halted in the front of the mansion, Amrita recuperated herself and exited the car quietly without wasting any time.

Ambar helped Aakash to get down and followed her inside.

"Dida?" She called out.

"Yes." Amrita spun around and plastered a fake smile.

"Are you okay?" She asked out in concern.

"I am, Amy... I just need some time. I'll check Mr. Suri." She replied and hurried upstairs, barging into his room.

Once she got inside, she closed the door with a thud and locked it.

Her mind couldn't stop thinking what had happened earlier.

"Amrita! My daughter." Vinay feebly whispered.

"Dad!" Tears sprang out of her eyes, "Are you alright?"

"Now, I am." He replied.

"I'm really very sorry, Dad." She cried, hiding her face on his right hand and she felt his other hand on her head.

"Please, don't cry dear. It pains me to see you like this." He told her, pouring all his emotions in the words.
She still rested her head on his palms as her tears didn't stop to flow.

"I should be the one who must apologise for everything. I was blind with the guilt of losing my child-" He paused. "-but I failed to see that I still had you and Ambar to care for." He said and she immediately lifted her head to see his eyes moist with tears as well, "I'm sorry, dear." He repeated.

"Child?" She couldn't fathom what was he referring to.

"Your brother..." He answered and briefed her everything about the blunders and all the mistakes which he had committed in his entire life.

She patiently perceived what he had to say till he finally finished.
Both of them were emotionally wrecked.
It came out as a shock to listen him confess his misdeeds.

For a daughter, her father stands out as a flawless man and Amrita was not an exception to have such beliefs.

She had always been closer to him rather than her mother and had even motivated herself to become like him one day. Though she also knew about his least expressive demeanor but nonetheless, she knew that he loved her in the way, she did.

"I'm sorry." He coughed and she quickly poured out some water in the glass and made him sip it.

"I should have been there for you... For my daughter but I couldn't and it stabs my gut whenever I think about my botched up mess which made you suffer because of me... I don't even deserve to be forgiven by anyone of you." He sniffed and she sobbed with him.

"Dad! Please...". She wiped his face, "You're my dad... and I can't see you like this." She mumbled.

"Neither can I... I'm very grateful that you came to meet me and I was finally able to see you... There was not a single day when I didn't miss you.... I was really frightened after you ran away but ... it was my mistake. I shouldn't have forced you against your will.." She smiled at him.

"Even I should have told you about my feelings and problems..." Her voice trailed off.

"Yes but now on, you need to stop thinking about your past. You have to look after this baby and don't forget that your dad will always be there to help you, at least till he's alive." He assured her.

"Don't say... that... You'll live a long life and you're not going anywhere. I won't let you." She admonished him and he chuckled, "Then promise me that you'll visit this old man often... I know that I can't make you stay here but don't forget, this is your home and you can come here anytime you want." He beamed at her.

"I know." She whispered and kissed his forehead, "You should rest..." She arranged the pillow under his head and he smiled at her.
"Sleep." She insisted.

"Yes, ma'am." He slowly closed his eyes and she quietly walked out of his room.

"Amrita!" She instantly turned to face her mother who had a displeased and stoned face.

"I'm leaving." Amrita said in a mild tone. "You should", Her mother's eyes instantly travelled down to her belly.

"I have to tell you something." Sandhya spoke and looked straightaway in her daughter's eyes.

"Go on." Amrita said.

"Your boyfriend....". Amrita immediately interrupted her, "I don't have a boyfriend, mother!" She countered.

Sandhya inhaled sharply.

"Anyway, the father of the baby that you're carrying had called yesterday. He has threatened to destroy our reputation in the society if you don't compile with his terms..." She stressed out the last part.

"What terms?" Amrita questioned her.

"He wants to marry you." Sandhya set forth with fierce in her eyes, "As he wants to claim his parental rights on the baby." She added.

"And what do you expect from me?" Amrita interrogated, approaching directly to the point.

"I don't expect anything especially after you betrayed our trust but I just want you to clear this fiasco of yours and keep us away from all the troubles and... It doesn't matter to me even if you get married to him." Her every word made her heart impale with pain.
She was her mother but the lady who stood in front of her didn't feel familiar at all. The warmth in her eyes were no longer felt by her. She just appeared like a complete stranger.

Sandhya broke the silence.

"I'm enduring your presence in this house just because of my husband's plea but I no longer wishes to get humiliated once again because of you. You've already caused us a lot of defilement so spare us some peace now." She clasped her hands together in a earnest request.

Amrita flinched at her actions and saw her retreating figure disappear.

She felt numb as she recalled her mother's exact words. Her indignation was justified and she knew that her mother would never forgive her and after hearing her dad, she knew the actual reasons behind her rigidity.

Amrita was now very well aware that her mother was tired of being taken for granted and dealing with the problems of their lives.

Amrita couldn't control herself anymore and she wailed harder, wrapping her hands around herself.

She grieved for being a cause of their distress, for trusting a wrong person with herself, for almost ruining the dreams of her sister and even for deceiving the trust of someone who has now turned out a great help to her and her sister.

She had destroyed everything.

Her sobs got his attention.

Mayank saw her crying hysterically.

He didn't know what was wrong with her but seeing someone like her shed tears made him feel abysmal. Someone pregnant like her.

He didn't know what to do. Especially with her who was completely a stranger to him.

He tried to regain his voice again...

"Baby..." He whispered and she looked up at him to see him staring at her, "Your baby.." He repeated again and her eyes widened.

She quickly gathered herself and stormed out of the room.

He wanted to stop her but he couldn't. His body disobeyed him once again.

She felt absolutely embarrassed. What was she thinking of crying in front of him?

He said 'baby' and her hands immediately went to hold her belly.

She shouldn't cry... at least for her baby, she needs to be strong and she will be... definitely.

"Amrita maa!" Aakash ran up to her and she quickly wiped her face.

"See... I made a present for Amy!" He passed it in her hand.

"It's beautiful." Amrita admired the greeting card.

"Is it Ambar's farewell gift?" She asked him.

"Yes!" He replied proudly.

"That's very sweet, Aakash... You know what? I was thinking of surprising Amy with a farewell party, would you help me?" She queried and he nodded with enthusiasm, "I love party."

"Okay... Since it's a surprise, we can't disclose it to Amy, Deal?". She forwarded her palm and he striked his hand on hers, "Deal."

------------------------------------------------

Ambar was morose while she constantly fumed with rage.

It was almost quarter to one at night and still he wasn't back from work.

She wanted to see him and so she waited for him to arrive.

Only a day was left and then she won't be able to see him, hear him or feel his presence around her ever.

She picked up her phone and called him but like always his phone was switched off.

All of sudden, she heard the sound of the car from outside and she immediately rushed downstairs.

The door cracked open and there he was.

He looked terrible.

His hair were badly dishevelled, his coat was hanging in his left arm and the first two buttons of his shirt were undone.

"Ambar?" He saw her standing with a frown on her face.

He knew that he was indeed in a big trouble.

Before she could utter something, he blurted out, "I'm tired."

"I know that!" She snapped at him.

His mouth lifted up into a huge grin.

"Don't you dare smile, I'm very angry at you." She scolded him.

"Are you even aware, what time is it?" She enquired in a piqued tone.
He glanced at his watch and sighed, "I know, I'm late but I had a lot of work." He excused.

"I don't want to hear anything, this is not good... You should be coming home soon... If you continue to work this late then you'll surely fall ill." She rebuked.

"And why weren't you picking up my call?" She demanded and saw his annoying grin reappear.

"Now why are you smiling like an idiot? Answer me." She asked him.

"Because you're behaving like my girlfrie-". He almost expelled the words in his mouth and she bit her lip to avoid herself from blushing in front of him.

They stayed silent for a moment.
Why did he say that?

"I don't want you to come this late. Don't forget that you have a nephew who misses his uncle a lot and your work stress shouldn't concern your personal life. You might get sick if you continue to work this late " She chided.

"Okay... I'll keep that in mind." He said.

"Good... Did you eat anything?" She quickly asked him but huffed when he didn't respond.

"Come!" She pulled him to the kitchen with her and made him sit on the chair.

"I'll reheat the food." She said and placed the bowl in the microwave oven.

He stayed quiet till she served him.

"Did you eat?" He queried and she giggled, "What do you expect at this hour? Obviously I ate, long back." She told him.

He smiled.

"Now eat." She ordered him.

"Yes teacher." He teased her and she laughed with him.

Oh God! How much she'll miss his laugh?

"It's delicious." He praised her.

"Really!" She asked him.

"Yeah, Mrs. Melanie cooks really very good. I should give her a raise." He took another bite.

"Hey! I made that." Ambar scowled.

"I don't believe you. You can't cook this well." He ridiculed her but got rewarded with a big smack on his arm.

"Ouch woman! Please let me eat peacefully." He mocked her and she smacked him once more.

"Then admit it that you liked my food." She demanded and he surrendered.

"Alright! Alright! You're the best... You really cook well and I love-" She stilled, "and I love your cooking." He completed and her face fell in disappointment.

What was she thinking?
She shouldn't forget that she's just his friend, nothing else.

"Happy?" His voice snapped her out of her stance and she smiled at him, "Yes."

And he placed another morsel in his mouth before chewing it.

She sat with him till he had finished eating and helped him clean his plates.

"Have you done with the packing?" He enquired and her smile faded but he failed to observe it.

She finally nodded.

"Okay! You should sleep now." He told her.

"Even you."

"Don't worry, I will but first I'll go and see Bhai." He informed her.

"Okay... but don't stay awake after that... if I see you working then I'll rip off your head." He earned another earful from her.

He chuckled, "Okay!" and she nodded before sauntering towards her room

"Ambar, Good night." He wished her and she smiled whilst turning her head in his direction.

"Good night, Nakul!"

______________________________
____________________________________________________________
______________________________

So did you like the chapter?

What are your views, please let me know?

What will Amrita do regarding Karun?

Will Nakul or Ambar confess their feelings?

Or will it be too late.

Stay tuned.

And please vote and comment.

I'm eagerly waiting for your feedback.

Have a lovely time.

And sorry if any mistakes.
You can point out if you find any, I'll immediately rectify it.

Thanks a lot.

Until next time.

♥♡♥.