Note: Many of the past parts are included in this part. 

*Vani Pov*

I woke up feeling continuous pats on my cheek and opened my eyes to find my daughter standing near the bed and is still patting my cheek to wake me up.

I immediately sat up and looked around to find it is still dark and so I checked the time to find it is still two in the morning.

"What is it?" I asked in a whisper to not disturb sleeping calmly beside me but he still turned over feeling disturbed.

She didn't say anything but lifted her little finger and I nodded getting down from the bed before holding her hand.

When we reached the washroom which is outside the house, I stood near the door while she finished her work before we both walked into the house.

I made sure to lock the door and then we both walked to Kamal's room which is now hers room to sleep.

As I made her lay down on the bed, she didn't let go of my hand while pouting at me. I smiled at her expression and laid down beside her.

"Feeling scared?" I asked adjusting her quit.

She nodded snuggling into my arms while I patted her back to make her go back to sleep and I felt sleepy myself with every passing second.

She doesn't wake me up like this anymore generally but right now we are in the village and staying at Kamal's house and it is a bit spooky for children.

Also, as the washroom is outside, I repeated a few times to wake me up if she wants to go to the washroom and as expected she listened to me.

I closed my eyes and continued to pat on her before drifting off into sleep not able to stay awake anymore and then go back to our room.

This time I felt someone taking Sharadha from my arms and I immediately tightened my hold before waking up in fear.

"It's me!" I sighed in relief hearing Kamal's voice.

"You scared me!" I mumbled at him before glancing at our daughter to find her lifting her arms wishing to be picked up by her father.

"Why are you sleeping here?" he asked picking her up after I let her go and I groaned turning around to look at him.

"She woke me up for washroom and didn't let me leave. And I somehow slept off." I explained yawning and found strong light from the window.

"What time is it?" I asked sitting up and he chuckled shaking his head.

"Don't worry! There is still time for us to freshen up. I also woke up just now and didn't find you. So, I came here to check and found her trying to get loosen from your hold the moment she saw me." He replied before leaning over to kiss my cheek and my daughter followed his suit to kiss my other cheek.

"Go and get freshen up then. I will prepare breakfast and then get her ready." I mumbled before kissing on their cheeks.

He nodded walking out of the room still holding her and I followed him out of the room. After brushing my teeth while she brushed hers, we both left the room for him to freshen up and walked towards the kitchen.

"Sit down here and don't move." She nodded hearing my words and sat calmly on the chair.

I walked out of the house and got the milk packet I asked Dad to bring for us when he goes to buy for them. He also bought a newspaper without us mentioning and I walked back into the house holding both of them.

After boiling the milk, I prepared a glass for her and passed it only when it was not that hot anymore and she can drink it normally.

Using the batter Mom gave yesterday night when we came here, I prepared breakfast and first fed her before putting the other dosas in a box.

Then taking her into the room where she stayed, I picked out the dress she wanted me to but she suddenly said, "Mom! When will we go home?"

"Why? Didn't like the place?" I asked smiling at her and she shook her head honestly.

"We came here just yesterday, right? You like your Grandma and Grandpa and they miss you. Also, you will be able to see so many things here. Okay?" she slowly nodded but I didn't worry about her disinterest in this place.

We just came yesterday night and she stayed at this house only until now. As it was late, she couldn't even spend time with Mom and Dad.

"Vani! I am done and you can go." I heard Kamal's voice and immediately took her to the washroom in the backyard while telling him to have breakfast which I placed on the table.

After getting her ready, I found him sitting in the living room while reading the newspaper. I asked him to look after her and then walked into our room to get clothes from the suitcase.

"Maybe we should get a washroom inside the house before we visit next time." Kamal commented when I walked out of the room and started walking towards the back door.

"I told you to get it done long back but you didn't listen to me at all. See my Dad, he got two washrooms inside the house for my sake." I complained turning around to stare at him.

"Of course, I will never be able to level up to your Dad." He rolled his eyes while I smirked at him.

"Any doubts in that? But will my daughter be as lucky as me?" I asked which make him scowl at me but I laughed before walking out of the house for the washroom.

After freshening up, I finished my breakfast and we all stepped out of the house to reach my parent's place.

"Ready?" Dad asked getting up from the chair in the living room and walked towards Sharu before lifting her up in his arms.

"Did my Sharu have breakfast? Grandma prepared a very good breakfast." He asked smiling at her.

"I already had, Grandad!" she replied smiling back at him.

"Stay here with your grandparents, okay?" I asked caressing her hair and she nodded at me.

"Here! I packed the things and tell me if you need anything else." Mom said walking out of the kitchen and handed over a bag into my arms.

Kamal immediately took it from my hands while thanking her but she waved him off saying, "We will take care of Sharu and you need not worry about her."

We both nodded and stepped out of the house before walking towards the cemetery in silence but I held his free hand to assure him that I am here.

He didn't say anything and so I too stayed quiet as I am sure he must be thinking about her. How can I not understand him when even I am thinking about my memories with her?

#PAST#

"Aunty!" I shouted, entering the only beautiful house in the lane, and continued to walk inside feeling my legs trembling with all the walking.

"Vani! What happened to you?" Aunty asked the moment I stepped inside her house.

"I... I got angry." I replied, scratching my forehead and plopped on the floor before forwarding my legs.

"How many times will you walk from college like this? Do you always forget that your college is in another village?" She started asking in a way, scolding before walking into the kitchen and returned with a glass of water.

"You don't know what was Rupa saying, Aunty." I mumbled accepting the glass and drank the whole glass.

"I am glad that your college is over. Otherwise, I would have to wait near the door, unlocking it every day thinking you may anytime walk inside with your legs hurting." She said shaking her head.

"I didn't do it recently." I said, defending myself to which she stared at me with a knowing look.

"It was just last week and I wrote my exam really well that day." I added, but sighed, knowing well I can't say anything to change her mind as she knows everything.

"I am just thinking how will my son bear you." She said and I frowned before looking down at my hands.

"But I know he can't get anyone precious like you." She immediately added making me grin at her.

#PAST END#

I smiled thinking of the words she would utter from time to time and she always thought of me on good terms.

Actually, even though I talked to Kamal about how my Dad cares for me more than him and how he joked that he can't match up to my Dad. I want to tell him that no one in this world can match up to her in my life and that includes my parents.

I gripped my hold on his hand thinking about her frail appearance when she was in the hospital but still thought about my life and my love.

#PAST#

"Why did you hide it?" I asked her in a whisper before sitting on the stool.

"So, you are not angry at me anymore?" her question and voice startled me.

"I was never angry at you." I replied and she sighed.

"You will be when I ask you something right now along with Kamal." She stated and I frowned but kept quiet holding her hand.

"Mom!" I heard Kamal's voice and turned to see him reaching the bed.

"Now, did you get your answer that there is not much to do?" she asked shaking her head slightly.

"What do you want me to do, Mom?" he asked holding her other hand.

"Get married! So that I can rest peacefully without worrying about my two children." She calmly asked and my hand stilled along with his.

"Now?" he asked and she slowly nodded.

"You can get a proper wedding later, but have a small one now for my sake." She whispered.

"That's all you want?" he asked and she slowly nodded.

"I will see to the arrangements." He said leaving the room and I shook my head at Aunty.

"What if he is in love with someone else? You can't do this." I mumbled pleading her.

"Do you really think I will allow this if he loves someone else or even like someone? I would have cancelled this relation at that point itself." She mumbled.

"If you don't want this, then all you have to say is no to him." She added before closing her eyes.

How can I say anything now? I should have never run away and stayed with you. Then you would have been fine. I should have never run away. If that is what you want, then that's what will happen.

#PAST END#

Even to this day, I feel guilty for leaving her like that just because of my heartbreak. I know she didn't blame me and even understood my problems but I still wish I stayed with her.

If I had then maybe I would have found her condition and maybe got her a better treatment and maybe... I couldn't stop myself and let a few tears roll down my cheeks.

I turned my head away immediately before brushing them away so that he can't see them and he seems to be lost in his thoughts which makes it easy for me to hide my tears.

"You need not hide them from me, Vani." He whispered tightening his hold on my hand and I nodded taking a deep breath and we both finally reached her resting place.

We arranged the things my Mom packed calmly on the ground before sitting down using the blanket she packed in the bag.

He leaned over to put his head on my shoulder before shifting his arms to hug my waist and I placed my hand over his shoulder to hug him back in silence.

I closed my eyes and we stayed there until it is lunchtime and packed everything up before walking back to my parent's place.

"We will come next year with Sharu?" he suddenly asked looking at me.

"Okay! I thought you need some peace and that's why I didn't propose to bring her with us every year." I explained and he nodded smiling.

"Now, I want to get her to meet Mom and maybe come here a few more times in a year and not just on her birth and death anniversary." He mumbled and I stared at him smiling.

"You can always accompany me whenever I come here to see my parents." I pointed out while complaining at the same time.

"You know I am busy recently with the new position and the patients also increased." He pointed back.

"I know! I was just teasing you. You already taking a longer leave to come with me to meet my cousin and her family this year." I mumbled holding his hand.

When we entered my parent's house, Sharu suddenly ran towards us and hugged my legs saying, "I missed you, Mom!"

"You are hurting us by saying those words, Sharu." Dad commented dramatically making me laugh.

I leaned down to pick her up and kissed her cheek saying, "I missed you too. Had lunch?"

She nodded while talking about what she ate and Kamal walked towards Dad to talk to him while I walked into the kitchen to see Mom making preparations for evening snacks.

"Mom! You already cooked lunch for us against my objections and now you increased your work to prepare these snacks." I complained frowning at her.

"Why are you talking as if I am doing this every day? When you don't visit, your Dad and I don't even have much to do every day. So, don't complain and go and sit in the living room or stay here to have a chat with me." She scolded but with a smile as I am holding Sharu in my arms.

I sighed pulling a chair to the kitchen and sat down asking, "Why don't you come and stay with us, Mom? Even Kamal talked to me about this as with the passing of time it will be difficult for me to come here frequently with Sharu when she starts her schooling."

"We don't want to go anywhere for now and we will let you know if we want to come to your place and stay. Anyway, by being here we can take care of Sharadha's house also." Mom commented as usual.

"My house?" Sharu asked looking at me and I chuckled nodding at her.

"Yes! Your house which we will take care of. Okay?" Mom asked smiling at her and she nodded smiling back.

After some time, we walked out of the kitchen to have lunch and found Kamal and Dad still in a discussion that seems like never-ending.

"What is going on?" I asked looking at them and Kamal sighed looking at me with a tired look.

"I am asking Dad to come and stay with us but he is not at all accepting." He explained and I nodded understanding his frustration which I feel every time I ask them about this matter.

"Let them be, Kamal! I talked to Mom and she said they will come after some time." I mumbled before gesturing them to come for lunch.

"As expected of you to prepare his favorite dishes, Mom." I mumbled sitting down when I found what she prepared.

"You come all the time but he came after so many months. Why are you even complaining?" She asked shaking her head while Kamal smirked at me.

He removed the ring from his hand and put it in his pocket before mixing the rice to eat. I smiled at the way he is protective of that ring and couldn't help but think how much pain I went through to buy it but still didn't end up giving him on our engagement day.

However, I was relieved to not give him that time as I misunderstood him and also understood that this marriage is not what he wished for.

I couldn't help but hold onto the ring and my stubborn self didn't give him that until he actually confessed right in this village.

#PAST#

"And I am glad that I need not feel jealous of your friend and try more to just make you fall for me." I said grinning after he tried to clear my misunderstanding about Pallavi.

"Who said you need to try? Maybe I already am." He suddenly said with a smirk covering his face but I got shocked hearing those words and even took a step back.

"I will be back within a minute. You just stay here." I said, backing away.

"What are you doing?" He asked me frowning.

"I just need to run. I mean, I am not running away from but I will be just running." Saying that I ran all the way to my place.

"Vani? Didn't you go out with Kamal?" Dad asked but I completely ignored him to search my bag and finally took out the ring.

"I will tell you later, Dad." Throwing those words behind me I rushed back to the spot where I left him.

"I am glad you are still here." I mumbled rushing near to him.

"Here!" I mumbled and put the ring on his finger before he can scold me for running away like that again.

"I love you!" I confessed smiling at him.

"You brought it here from home?" He asked me frowning and I felt puzzled thinking why does he know about it but then I ignored that.

"Yes! I never leave it and never travel without it. It is like I pocketed all my love in it." I replied and he smiled looking at me.

"I love you too." He whispered and I chuckled before holding his hand.

"I know! Otherwise, you wouldn't have gotten to wear that at all." I said smiling and he laughed hearing those words.

"I just love you more." He said and we both walked back to our home.

#PAST END#

"What? Still mad that I didn't cook your favorites?" I was brought out of my thoughts with my Mom's voice and found everyone glancing at me.

"Yeah! So, want to cook my favorites tomorrow?" I asked smiling at her but she shook her head in negative making me sigh.

"Don't listen to her, Mom! She herself cooks only my favorites at home and she is completely fine with this." Kamal stated assuring her.

"Why do you have to say those things?" I scowled at him but started eating and enjoyed them completely.

No matter what she cooks, it will always be good. However, I learned to cook from Sharadha Aunty and so Mom's cooking always feels special.

Mom got jealous at that time that I didn't let her teach me and had Sharadha Aunty teach me cooking.

She knew it was to learn Kamal's favorites and just learn to cook only those items and she even said I can learn other dishes from her but I completely ignored it.

I knew if I learned from Mom she will definitely scold me for the mess I will make, unlike Aunty. I paused and gripped the table with my free hand thinking I should have heard the meaning behind her words at that time too.

#PAST#

"Vani! My son is here." Aunty said, while I was busy trying to cook something edible of his favorites for the first time in my life.

I glanced at the door near the kitchen and made a dash for it to escape from all this. However, she immediately held my hand, making it impossible for me to even take a step near the door.

"I just knew you would do this. Why do you always run away when he comes here?" she asked, pulling me back and I followed her even though my sight is towards the door itself.

"I... I don't know! I feel happiness, anxiety and fear at a time when he comes here. You know I can't handle a single emotion. Then how can I handle all of them?" I asked nervously before trying to make her leave the hold over my wrist.

"Don't worry! He is not here." The moment she uttered those, I slowly relaxed and leaned on the kitchen platform.

"Why did you lie to me?" I asked her frowning.

"So that, you will not do the same when he really arrives." She explained and gestured at me to continue the cooking she is giving classes on.

"When he arrives!" I added to her words shaking my head.

"What is the use for him to come here, when you don't even look at his face?" she asked frowning.

"But... I am scared that he would reject me and I actually know how he looks." I mumbled looking away.

"If he will reject you, then I will not spare him." She assured me, but I chuckled knowing well she wouldn't do that.

"If he does that, I am sure you will search for some person as a fiancé for me." I said, trying to joke, but it pained me inside to even think like that.

"No! He needs you." She said in a strong voice holding my hand.

"Is there a problem, Aunty?" I asked her frowning and she shook her head, smiling before giving me the instructions.

#PAST END#

After lunch, we three left the house to have a small nap as it is also Sharu's napping time.

Kamal is holding her and is talking to her while I continued to walk behind him with a smile covering my face.

She said he would need someone like me because she knows about her health and I would wish to say to her that even I needed him when she suddenly left us like this.

"Vani! Your daughter suddenly saying she doesn't want to leave from here tomorrow." Kamal called while shaking his head at her.

"Where did you go with your Grandad?" I asked reaching them and she pointed each finger while mentioning a place.

"After all that enjoyment why would she wish to leave?" I pointed out glancing at Kamal.

"That's why I don't allow her to come here frequently. What if she suddenly wishes to stay here? We have to force her to stay only with us." Kamal mumbled shaking his head.

"You are thinking too much. You do remember her best friend, right? How can she stay away from him?" I pointed out again while rolling my eyes.

Until last year Dad didn't take her anywhere whenever I bring her here as he feared for her but now he seems to be not worrying anymore and even took her to a lot of places within a few hours.

After laying her down on the bed and letting her drift off into sleep, I stepped into our room and found him texting on the phone.

"Girish is asking me when will we return as his Son is making trouble while asking for Sharu." I laughed sitting on the bed and took out my phone to text Rupa.

'Having a hard time?' I texted and she immediately sent a long message on how much Adi is messing with everything while asking for Sharu if they ask him to stop doing it.

"Text him to bear with it for another week and I sent the same to Rupa." He sighed before sending those words and then laid down on the bed.

As I continued to browse on the phone, he took my phone away and pulled me down so that I am lying down on the bed.

"What are you doing?" I asked turning my head to look at him but he didn't say anything and then turned me over before pulling me into his arms to hug me from behind.

"Did you think about Mom so much today?" he asked after a few seconds and I stopped my hands which were trying to take his hand away while asking what happened.

"Yes! What about you?" I asked patting his hand.

"Me too! But I know she wouldn't want us to still feel guilty like this for not knowing her condition." He whispered and I closed my eyes hearing those words.

We just laid down there while consoling each other just like we did in the past and that was a first step in our marriage life too at that time.

#PAST#

While I was sitting on the couch and nearly finished cutting the vegetables, I heard the door opening with a force and found him entering the house with a hurt look.

I opened my mouth to ask him what is going on but stopped myself remembering our relationship is not like that even though we are married.

However, when he suddenly walked into the other room, I frowned standing up and walked towards the door only to see him kneeling on the ground while holding Aunty's picture frame tightly.

He looks broken but is trying to control his emotions and I remember Mom saying how we all are letting out our pain through our tears but he never let a single tear by putting everything inside.

I took a step forward while ignoring other thoughts on how our relationship is not that close to console him or I should just let him be like this and not disturb him.

I knelt down beside him and circled my arms around him which caused him to stiffen. I thought he will push me away but he suddenly turned around to hug me tightly and started crying.

I couldn't help but let out tears seeing the way he is letting out his emotions but I tried to control myself as I need to be stable to lend him my shoulder.

"I miss her so much, Vani. I kept on thinking she will walk inside the house any moment, but I know that it will never happen." He said and I closed my eyes hearing those painful words.

"I... I am feeling guilty thinking maybe I should have stayed near to her without staying away. I missed so much time and always thought she would be with me forever after I get settled down." He added shaking his head.

"It is not a wrong thing to miss her. I miss her too and will miss her forever. However, she would kill both of us if we made sure we are sad and are trying to get stuck in a moment." I whispered even though I am feeling the same guilt in my heart.

"I do not know how you are feeling at this moment and maybe no one will ever know. It is not an easy thing to get on with life." I added before shifting in his hug to stare at his face which looks so crumbled after finally letting out the pain like this.

"Do you think she will be happy to see you like this? I know her and I can assure you that she must be scolding you pointing a finger towards you." I said in a serious tone and he gave a small smile.

"My Dad must be trying to make her anger go away and cool down." He mumbled and I chuckled hearing that.

"That must be happening for sure." I whispered and he shook his head before hugging me again.

"Why don't you go and freshen up?" I mumbled and tried to move away from his hug but he didn't let me go and tightened his grip.

"Just a minute!" He whispered and I couldn't help but let him be and also hugged him back again.

Even though we stayed like that for a few seconds, I felt a sense of relief after talking to him about Aunty like this and if not for him, I don't know when I would have broken down.

#PAST END#

"I would have broken down someday with no return if not for your presence in my life, Vani. So, don't feel guilty anymore, and like you said she wouldn't like us to stay in the past like that." He whispered kissing my shoulder.

"I know! I am not that into the past like before but still, whenever I come here, I just wish... I..." I couldn't continue and ended up turning around his arms to hug him back tightly.

"I know!" He whispered hugging me tightly and we stayed like that until our daughter woke up from her sleep and entered our room.

I brushed my tears away and let him go before turning around to smile at her. She smiled lifting her arms and I picked her up to place her on the bed.

"Had a good sleep?" I asked caressing her cheek.

"Yes! I will go to Grandad." She replied smiling at me.

I laughed nodding at her and glanced at Kamal to see him smiling at us and no longer seems to be sad which I felt from him the moment we entered the village yesterday night but I let him be.

As I came here frequently the impact this place has on me will not be as much as for him. So, I stayed silent beside him thinking to console him whenever he opens up today but I didn't realize I will be the one to get consoled.

"I am no longer your favorite, Sharu. Even for your Mom, your Grandad is her favorite. I am hurt!" he said dramatically and she laughed seeing him like that while I hit his shoulder hearing those words.

Aunty! Are you looking at us, right now? Are you happy? Are you really scolding us for our thoughts? Are you having good fights with Uncle? I miss you, Aunty! Thank you for giving me this happiness in my life, Aunty!