1 week later

Chandhini helped ayi put the dishes on table, her mind on Advay and her relationship. She could not understand herself.

She had the chance to think about her future without him clouding her mind. But she had stopped him from going back to Delhi.

Everything which he did over these years, she couldn't forget it.she remained wary of him.

But their relationship was as old as herself. She couldn't think about living without him. Especially when he had apologized so many times.

  After moving back to his room, she was doing things out of the habit putting his likes and dislikes above herself.  she was not happy with it but still she wanted to do those things for him.

But he had hurt her badly and there was fear in he fear that he will do something again.

She was so lost in the thoughts that she didn't hear ayi call her name.

Khushi looked at Chandhini in worry. She hadn't asked chandhini anything about her and advay's relationship because she didn't want to embarrass her or cause any trouble between the two of them. She lightly touched chandhini on shoulder,'' chandhini.''

Chandhini came out of her thoughts with a start,'' Sorry, ayi. Did you say something?''

Khushi,'' Veer's friend invited him for a party. Your favorite actors will be there. Do you want to go?''

Chandhini was not in the mood to go to any party. In fact, she felt like Delhi had forever put the hatred of parties in her mind.

Khushi,'' So much thinking just for a party. Go, Sheekha is already going.''

Chandhini nodded. Maybe she will meet her old friends and it will be a nice change from this constant thinking about Advay and her private life.

.......................

Advay watched chandhini sitting playing with Kavya in the sitting room. He smiled. Kavya was just as mischievous as tiny. He walked over to them as kavya hid behind the table and Tiny pretended to not see her. she was checking under sofa, behind it while knowing where was Kavya.

Now, the next place was table. Advay purposefully walked in front of the table and stood between chandhini and Kavya. He asked chandhini with twinkle in his eyes,'' What are you doing?''

A little voice behind him said,'' playing hide and seek.''

Chandhini controlled her smile as she informed him,'' I am looking for Kavya. Have you seen her?''

Advay,''No, I can't see her.''

Kavya giggled from behind the table.

Advay smiled at chandhini.

Chandhini loudly,'' She is so clever. I can't find our little Kavya at all. Where could she be?''

Advay,''check behind the sofa again.''

As chandhini pretended to check, kavya came running and wrapped her arms around his legs, Advay looked back at winked at kavya.

Chandhini,'' She is not here.''

Advay,'' May be she is in the kitchen?''

There game would have continued but at that moment Veer came in search of Kavya calling her name loudly. Both Advay and Chandhini watched amused as little Kavya stomped her feet,'' I was hiding daddy!''

Veer who looked really tired sighed and said,'' Sorry. Come now grandma wants to talk to you on phone.''

Kavya was in no mood but Chandhini picked her up and kissed her on both cheeks,'' We will play again tomorrow. Go now with daddy.''

Kavya reluctantly went with Veer.

Advay wrapped his arm around chandhini and said,''I was thinking that she is naughty just like you but I was wrong. You would have thrown a tantrum.''

Chandhini's smile stiffened slightly as she said,'' Sorry, I have troubled you a lot.''

Advay frowned as he watched the way her face expression stiffened,'' I was just kidding.'' He said lightly.

Chandhini doubted it. She knew now that how much he had resented taking care of her. These were just empty words. she lowered her gaze trying to control her emotions,''I need to talk to ayi about something, I will be back.'' She lightly pushed against his hold.

Advay wanted to stop her but he knew that he could not do that here. So, he let her go knowing that it had been just an excuse to get away from him. They had many issues which need to be resolved but it would take time. He still hated himself for behaving the way he had but he could not go back in time and change anything.

........

Chandhini walked to khushi's room but instead of knocking she sat down next to the door. She did not know what to do.

''Chandhini?'', she looked up at the sound of her name. It was Veer, he had come back after giving Kavya to Sheekha,'' why are you sitting here?''

Chandhini hurriedly got up and said,'' nothing. I was just sitting.''

Veer,'' Is everything okay? did Advay bro said something?''

Chandhini felt a wave of anger, Veer had not been there when she needed him and she still remembered his words, the bitterness she felt spilled into her words,'' We decided to never discuss Advay. Remember?''

Veer felt his cheeks flush hot red in embarrassment but he could not say anything to her because she was right. It was his own fault.

chandhini ignored him and went toward her room.

...........................................

Next night all of them got ready for the party. Chandhini wore a beautiful light blue saree and together with Sheekha, Advay and Veer went to the party. Ayi and baba were already going to another function so they could not come. Kavya was with her maid.

At the party, Chandhini tried to relax but she could feel Advay's gaze on her. she smiled at him and guests as they mingled among friends and acquaintances. She waited for Advay to take over the conversations as she had become used to it but he was unusually quiet. Chandhini started to relax. Her smiles becoming more natural.

Unfortunately for her, at that moment she came across two business friends of Advay from Delhi. They greeted advay as usual and then just nodded at her for politeness sake and then ignored her. Chandhini became silent too. Even though Advay provided her many chances where she could start the conversation but chandhini remained quiet. Advay politely excused the two of them and moved to next group. But chandhini's mood was spoiled.

...........

Veer was talking to one of his friend when he heard chandhini's name from two men talking nearby him. He paused as he listened. The two men were talking and laughing saying cheap things about her. Angry Veer turned and went over to the group.

..........

few hours later

Arnav angrily stared at Veer,'' Tell me why did you started the fight?''

Veer angrily kept his mouth shut. He did not want to say what he had heard to Arnav. He knew who was to blame.

Arnav waited for Veer to speak but he knew that he would not say anything. He looked over to his wife. Khushi nodded.

Arnav,''I want an answer from you Veer by tomorrow morning. I will be waiting in my study.'' He left Veer's room without another word.

Sheekha said angrily to Veer,'' At least tell us why did you fight?''

Veer,''I don't want to talk to anyone. Just leave me alone.''

Sheekha,'' Veer control your temper and don't take that tone of voice with me. If you don't want to talk then that's your choice but I don't have to bear your attitude.''

Khushi interrupted,''I think we all need to calm down.''

Sheekha,'' He is the one with temper. He says or do whatever he wants without thinking and then, he wants me to bear it quietly.''

Khushi looked at Advay and Chandhini. Both understood and quietly left the room. Khushi turned to sheekha,'' Please sheekha can I ask you to make tea for me and coffee for Veer?''

Sheekha wanted to fight some more but because of Khushi she left the room but not before pointing toward the medicines,'' ayi make him eat those painkillers too.'' she looked at his swollen jaw a moment longer her heart clenching at the sight. He was so stupid, he had gotten hurt. she left the room mumbling under her breath.

Khushi sat down next to Veer who had closed his eyes and was trying to control his temper at sheekha's verbal assault.

Khushi picked up the medicines containers and took out different pills and said,'' Veer takes these.''

Veer opened his eyes and then took them. Khushi passed him glass of water which sheekha had put on the table earlier. Veer swallowed the pills and handed glass back to khushi. He winced slightly. He had hit one of the man too hard.

Khushi noticed it,'' Is it too painful.''

Veer,'' No ayi.''

He waited for ayi to start scolding him too but she patiently sat there. He knew that she wanted to know the reason for his behaviour,'' I am not at fault.'' He said.

Khushi didn't say anything just sighed deeply.

Veer,'' Did I ever fought with anyone?did you ever got any complaint from me. They started it. I had no choice.''

Khushi,'' There is always choice between violence and peace. I thought I had taught that to each of my kid.''

Veer,'' They bad mouthed chandhini.''

Khushi was surprised,'' chandhini?''

Veer nodded,'' I couldn't control myself after it.''

Khushi,'' but what did they say?''

Veer didn't say anything.

Khushi,'' I did not know such low standard people were invited to the party or I wouldn't have allowed chandhini to go.''

Veer,'' They knew her from Delhi.''

Khushi had a sinking feeling in her heart.

Veer,'' I am going to talk to Advay about it. Why did he even made such people his acquaintances?''

Khushi,'' Don't say anything.''

Veer,'' ayi?''

Khushi,'' I will deal with Arnav and everyone. You just stay silent.''

Veer wanted to know the reason,'' but why?''

Khushi didn't want anyone especially Arnav to know what had happened between Advay and Chandhini in Delhi,'' This will just create problems between Advay and Chandhini.''

Veer,'' what do you mean ayi? Advay has to answer for his behaviour. As her brother I have the right to ask him this question.''

Khushi,'' You want her happy or not?''

Veer,'' Of course I do ayi.''

Khushi,'' Then don't ask Advay anything. They have just started to get normal and you know Chandhini is still not well. Stress is not good for her.''

Veer still wanted to protest but Sheekha came back at that moment with their drinks. So, Veer became quiet.