Aryamann's pov!

"Bhumi? Isn't she at the hospital??" She asked with a frown on her face.

"No," I said, shaking my head.

We heard the doorbell chiming indicating someone entering the cafe.

I turned around to see Ekansh making a beeline for us.

"What happened to Bhumi?" He asked anxiously.

"She is missing! She isn't attending any of my calls. She didn't tell me where she was going either!" I said in a defeated tone.

"Wait? What is the date today?" Arohi asked.

"Seventh of October," Gaurav said and Arohi's eyes widened in horror.

"Sh*t," Arohi cursed loudly.

"Oh sh*t," Ekansh followed.

They both ran out of the cafe leaving me and Gaurav dumbfounded.

"What the hell just happened??" Gaurav asked.

"Let us follow them," I said and ran out behind them.

We followed Ekansh, who was driving madly breaking all the traffic rules.

I can see we have crossed the city and are now moving through the outskirts of Mumbai.

After about one and a half hours of driving, we entered a small cottage style house..

As I got out of the car I saw Ekansh rushing towards Bhumi, who was sitting in between three graves, and pulling her into his laps.

Bhumi wrapped her arms around his neck and her whole body was shaking with each sob that left her.

I couldn't move. I wanted to. But I just couldn't.

I want to pull her into my arms and comfort her.

I was too stunned to react seeing Bhumi sitting in the middle of three graves.

Of Aadhav Basu, Maanasi Basu and Ryan Basu.

And all three of them have the same date of death.

Bhumi's pov!

"I am really sorry, Bhumi. I forgot what day it was." Arohi kept on apologising for forgetting my family's death anniversary.

It has been nine years. Nine long years since my parents and brother left me all alone in this cruel world.

Ansh kept on hugging me, saying soothing words to calm me down.

I can feel my body still shaking.

"Relax baby," Ansh said softly.

"I can't. I miss them so much." I cried out loudly.

"I know. I know darling," he said, rubbing my back soothingly.

I can see Aryamann standing there looking at me stunned.

But I can't respond to him. I don't have the strength to do that.

I want my Mommaa!

I want to lie on her lap and cry. I want to cry and my heart aches.

I want to share my first heartbreak with her.

I want my Papa to swear he is gonna kill Aryamann for hurting me.

I want Ryan here to tease me, calling me a cry baby.

I want everything that I can't ever have.

"Sleep baby. I am here!" Ansh said.

And that's what I heard last before darkness engulfed me.

******************************************

Aryamann's pov!

"She must be tired. Let her sleep," Ekansh said as he lowered her onto our bed.

"What is going on? What happened to her parents?" I asked still not understanding why Bhumi never mentioned that her parents are no more.

"It is not my story to tell, Aryamann. She will tell you when she is ready." Ekansh said.

"I want to know," I said helplessly.

"She will tell you! Just give her some space!! And Aryamann, she has lost too much in her life. Don't hurt her more. She won't be able to bear it." Ekansh said before walking out leaving me alone with Bhumi

I sat beside Bhumi, gently caressing her hair.

I don't know when I dozed off, but when I opened my eyes, Bhumi wasn't there on the bed.

I got up in panic and looked around but relaxed when I saw her standing on the balcony looking at the moon.

I walked towards the balcony without making any noise. She didn't realise yet that I was right behind her.

"Why Momma? Why Papa? Why did you leave me alone? I miss you. Miss you so much," she said, tears trailing down her cheeks.

"You know momma? Aryamann's family is so good. They love me like their own. But I am cheating them, right? Will they forgive me when they come to know the truth? Or will they hate me?" She asked and my heart ached.

How much is she hurting? And to add on that I broke her heart!

No one would ever guess that, the happy go lucky girl had been through so much.

I walked towards her and hugged her from the back tightly!

"I am sorry. I am really sorry." I said, burying my nose in her hair.

"Why? Why Aryamann?" She asked, her voice breaking with every word!

"I am sorry. I am so sorry." I said, tightening my hold on her.

"Do you really think I am with you only for money?" She asked.

"No. No. I don't think so, Bhumi. I was just angry. And I took it out on you! When Harini showed me that video, I felt betrayed. I shouldn't have believed that. That was my fault." I said.

"It hurts!!" She said.

"I am sorry," I said, kissing the top of her head.

"I am angry. I shouldn't talk to you," she said and my hold tightened.

"Don't please! Be angry. Hit me if you want. Do anything. But don't stop talking to me. Don't ever leave me." I pleaded with her.

"Why? Why should I stay?" She asked and I didn't know why I wanted her to stay.

"Because I want you to," I said and she huffed, making me chuckle.

"See momma! He is an egoistic jerk," she said, looking at the sky.

"What happened to them?" I asked softly and she sighed.

"It was nine years ago. Ryan was four years younger to me. When he was three years old, he was diagnosed with a heart disease. The only treatment option was surgery. But we couldn't afford the money," she said and I kept silent listening to her.

"Mummaa and Papa worked hard to earn money for the surgery. When nothing worked well, he asked his best friend, Uncle Kedar for help. Our families were very close. But Papa didn't tell anyone about Ryan's illness as he didn't want anyone to look at Ryan differently or with pity. But when there were no other options he asked Uncle Kedar for help," she said and my heart ached seeing the pain in her eyes.

"Uncle Kedar was very angry at Papa for hiding this from him."

"We were living in the outskirts of Mumbai at that time. One day Papa and Mama along with Uncle Kedar went to the city to withdraw money from the bank. We were left with a babysitter at home. And suddenly Ryan collapsed while playing and we panicked. We took him to the hospital. He needed surgery immediately. But the hospital refused to start the surgery without the payment," she said, tears running down her cheeks and I hugged her hard.

"Mama and Papa said they will reach soon with the money. But they didn't come. They didn't come, Aryamann. They didn't," she sobbed out loud.

"Hush baby. It is okay." I hugged her tightly.

"Ryan died in the hospital because the hospital refused to do his surgery and the car in which Papa Mama and Uncle Kedar were travelling got into an accident."

Dear God!

"Mama- mama died instantly. Papa died after reaching the hospital," she cried out loud.

How did a seven year old recover from such a tragedy?

Now I get it. Why did she go to such lengths for a stranger's surgery? Her brother died because there was no money. So she did what she could for someone so that they wouldn't die like her brother.

"Uncle Kedar was deeply injured. But he survived the accident and he adopted me."

"Uncle Kedar, Aunt Latika and Ansh never made me feel as though I am an outsider. They legally adopted me and took me to Pune. But a year later Uncle Kedar and Aunt Latika were killed by a business rival. And Ansh had to leave to avenge his parents death. And I was alone yet again," she said.

"Ansh?" I asked

"Yeah. Ansh is Uncle Kedar's son," she said.

"Wait? So he is your adoptive brother?" I asked in surprise.

"Not adoptive. He is my real brother. That's how we are," she said.

"Then why did you tell me he is your friend?" I asked frowning and she sighed.

"Papa and Mama had a love marriage. They were both from wealthy families. But the families were rivals. So they had to elope. And this family knows Uncle Kedar. Papa was best friends with Uncle Kedar since their boarding school days. So if it comes out that Ansh is my brother, they can connect the dots and find out who I am. Because I am a xerox copy of my mom. And I don't want them to know who I am." she said.

"Who are these families, Bhumi?" I asked.

"I don't know," she said without making eye contact with me.

I know she is lying. She knows who they are. But she isn't ready to tell me yet. I can wait.

"It is getting late. Sleep tight, okay." I said gently, placing her on the bed and kissing her on the forehead.

"Stay," she said, pulling me towards her.

I got into the bed along with her and hugged her from the back, spooning her into me.

"Aryamann," she whispered.

"Hmm.."

"Life is too short to hold on to grudges, Aryamann. I would do anything to get Mama, Papa and Ryan back. Even for a few minutes. Don't live to regret," she said and I know what she wanted to convey.

She wants me to make amends with my parents.

"I will try," I said and closed my eyes.

***************

Bhumi's pov!

I opened my eyes to find myself in Aryamann's arms. And a smile formed on my lips. Which disappeared immediately when what all happened last day came back to me. What am I still doing here? Don't I have even a little bit of self respect? How can I stay here after what all Aryamann told me? Last night, I was too vulnerable as memories of my parents had stormed my mind and I let Aryamann in, in my vulnerable state. But I have to leave. I can't stay with someone who doesn't trust me. Someone who thinks so low about me.

Just then, a bout of nausea hit me.

I extricated myself from Aryamann's arms without waking him up and ran to the en suite bathroom and puked my guts out.

I washed my face and brushed my teeth.

I am late!

I am very very late!

I haven't had my periods in what? Four months?

Damn!

All this time I thought it was due to the stress of not knowing anything about Aryamann.

But now? Coupled with nausea, sensitivity around the nipples and a little weight gain and all.

I need to do a home test. I will do that immediately after Aryamann leaves for office.

"Bhumi," Aryamann knocked on the door.

"Yes,"

"Are you alright? You have been in there for a long time," he asked anxiously.

"I am alright. I am coming out," I said and opened the door.

Aryamann smiled at me and hugged me, followed by a kiss on my forehead. I didn't feel the butterflies I usually do. My heart was too frozen for that.

"Good morning, Bhumi!!" He said with a smile.

"Morning," I mumbled awkwardly.

"I have a meeting in the morning. It is important. I will be back soon after the meeting. I won't go to the office after that, okay?" He said and walked into the en suite.

"""

As soon as Aryamann left I went out and bought a pregnancy detection kit.

I was waiting outside the bathroom. I have kept the test inside the washroom.

I don't have the courage to go in and check the results yet.

Finally, after almost twenty minutes, I took a deep breath in and walked inside.

My heart skipped a beat when I saw the two pink lines indicating a positive pregnancy!

Pregnant!

I am pregnant!

I placed a hand over my belly.

There is little life growing inside there!

A small smile appeared on my face which disappeared immediately remembering Aryamann's words.

'Get this straight into your head Bhumi, don't think you can trap me into this marriage by getting pregnant.'

'I don't want a baby. Not with you anyway!!'

'Make love? We didn't make love, Bhumi. We had sex.'

No!!! No!!!

I can't stay any longer.

I have to leave.

He doesn't want my baby.

I have to leave immediately!

I can't let him reject my baby, like he rejected me!

I wouldn't let my baby face that ever.

Though I grew up an orphan, I was always aware that I was loved by my parents.

And that has given me strength to face the world.

I wouldn't let my baby be unwanted!

And for that, I have to take my little one far far away from Aryamann.

And so I called the one person whom I trust more than anything in this world.

"Bhumi bear? How are you?" Ansh asked as soon as he picked up my call.

"I need you, Ansh," that was all I said.

"I am coming baby." He said and hung up the call.

With that, I had stepped out of Aryamann's life without a trace.

A/N

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