A/N I'm writing on mobile. So, there may be spelling and grammar mistakes.

Chandhini woke up with a start and looked around disorientated. She realised that she was back in their room. Probably, Advay carried her back.

She looked at her clothes, she was still wearing the party wear. She yawned and looked at the time. It was three in the morning. She reached up with her hand and started to take off her heavy earings and necklace. Then, she got off the bed and started to take off her mangul sutar and remaining jewellery. Where is Advay? She thought to herself. She put the jewellery and away in safe and took out her clothes to change. There was a knock on room door.

Chandhini frowned and went to open the door. It was ayi. Chandhini was surprised,'ayi, you're still awake?'

Khushi,'we're all awake and were sitting downstairs. I just came to check on you. You didn't eat much and Advay said that you didn't take your medicine.'

Chandhini smiled,' I'm not hungry and meds, I was about to take them.' She went back and took out her medicine box from the drawer and ate her medicines.

Khushi walked into the room and looked around at the room,' do you like the room style and decoration? Shekha is renovating her room. You can change too.'

Chandhini put the medicines box back and closed the drawer,' I'll ask Advay. You know how fussy he is about his surroundings.'

Khushi smiled at her words,'ok. Did you enjoy the party? She asked thinking about the incident which had taken place at the last party. She hoped that after this party no one would dare question Chandhini's position as advay's wife.

Chandhini,' it was alright. Just like any other party. Is baba awake too? I'll change and come downstairs.'

Khushi,' yes, he was worrying about you skiping your medications. Change the clothes but don't take a shower at this time. It's cold. You'll fall sick.'

Chandhini nodded. She went toward the wardrobe and opened it,' are any guests still downstairs?'

Khushi sat down on a chair feeling tired,' no. Only family.'

Chandhini nodded and started to take out a saree.

Khushi noticed and couldn't help but think about past,'time has flown so quickly.' She said.

Chandhini closed the wardrobe door and turned to face ayi,' don't tell me ayi you're remembering my childhood too.' She made a face.

Khushi laughed,' no, you saucy girl. I think that you heard enough about it tonight.'

Chandhini leaned against the wardrobe and nodded,' every uncle or aunty had to bring it up at some point.'

Khushi,' you were such a cute baby. Obviously, everyone remembers.' There was hint of pride in her voice. Then, she said,' I was thinking that few years ago, I had to force you to wear traditional clothes on even special functions and now...' Khushi smiled happily. Chandhini had become so calm, mature and thoughtful,'time does change people.'

Chandhini didn't say anything as she thought about past. Time indeed changed many things. 'Ayi, I'll go and change now. You go. I'll come downstairs.' She said softly with a small smile.

Khushi,' I'll wait. We'll go together. Hurry and change.'

Chandhini nodded and turned to go to washroom to change her clothes. Her smile died as she closed the door. She put her head aginst the door. Her eyes watered as she remembered the bitter memory which had surfaced ayi's words. His words, they rang in her ears. He had said that she was shameless and implied that she had always ungratefuly lived on his family's charity. After that she had done everything to repay him and his family. Even changing her living style.

Now, she knew better that this was stil her family and everyone loved her in their own way. But the changes she had undergone,they had become a part of her personality.

Maybe he had said those words only in anger but they still hurt. Yet, she knew that no matter how rude he was or how much he hurt her, she couldnt live without him. So, she must learn to let the past go. She stood there quietly trying to control her tears.

After a while, she remembered that ayi was waiting for her. She rubbed her tears away, changed clothes and went outside.

......

Advay was lazily lying on sofa next to the sofa where Arnav was sitting and going through wall Street journal. While Veer who was sitting on the opposite sofa with Shekha; he was debating with Baba.

He absently listened to the heated discussion over the local politics. He looked toward Shekha who looked equally disinterested in the topic as she scrolled through her mobile.

But neither of them had the courage to wade in and stop the discussion. They could only wait for ayi to come back.

He looked toward the stairs where was she any away? She had gone to check on chandhini about half an hour ago.

At that moment, he saw them coming downstairs. His eyes went to the sky blue saree Chandhini was wearing. The pearl white skin looked inviting in the colour. The bare neck without any ornament looked inviting. He looked back at the magazine but he sat up on sofa leaving space for her to sit down next to him.

Khushi's eyes met Shekha's who looked at her beeschingly for help. Khushi looked toward her husband and son and sighed. These two loved to debate. She went over to sit next to Arnav.

Arnav stopped and looked toward Chandhini,' my princess is awake. did you take your medicine?' He asked affectionately.

Chandhini,' yes baba and ate earlier too.'

Arnav smiled,'good. I was worried. You should always take your medicine on time. Advay, it's your responsibility too.'

Advay was about to reply, when Chandhini quickly said,' I'm grown up baba. I can take care of myself.'

Arnav looked toward Khushi and shared an amused glance with her,' of course.'

Advay watched her sit next to him and teased her,' So grown up that you keep falling asleep like a kid everywhere.'

Chandhini didn't reply and just started to look down toward her hands.

Arnav,' stop teasing her Advay.'

Advay reached forward and lightly pulled on Chandhini's nose,' sorry.' He said laughingly as she pulled her face away,' don't'.

Arnav was about to speak again, when Khushi nudged him and quietly said,' let them be.'

Advay decided to stop teasing her as she slid to a corner of the sofa, her face red with anger. He absently moved his hand through his hairs. He had been just teasing her.

Chandhini sat quiet as everyone started discussing the party and different people who had come. She spoke only when needed. Her mood down. Since, it was already so late, it was decided everyone would sleep after the morning puja.

After some time, she got up to make tea for everyone. She stopped Shekha who wanted to come and help. Chandhini wanted to be alone but after telling ayi that she wanted to come downstairs; it would be rude to go back.

She was preparing tea and crying softly as she thought about the things he had done over the time. She knew that she was being silly but at the same time, couldn't stop her emotions. Was something wrong? She suddenly thought. Why I'm being so emotional about something which I 've accepted.

'Chandhini, what happened? Why're you crying?' The voice jostled her out of her worries. She was so lost that she didn't realise when Veer had walked into the kitchen.

Chandhini rubbed her eyes immediately and turned off the burner. She bent over the pan,' I've got a cold.' She quickly said and then,' Bro, can you pass that tray with mugs to me?

Veer stared at her few minutes but then, passed the tray.

Chandhini started to pour the tea into the mugs.

Veer,' I know you're lying. Did... did you two fought again?'

Chandhini finished pouring the tea and handed him his mug saying,' you lost the right to ask about anything ages ago.' She picked up the tray and left the kitchen with Veer still standing near the stove, the steam from tea clouding his glasses.