...

Advay came back from his trip tired. He had been able to get the contract he wanted and he was also able to look through his projects in states which his partner Garry handled.

But he had missed chandhini very much on the trip. He had wanted to call her and several time thought to do it but he couldn't do it. She was sitting on sofa reading some book. He felt himself relaxing. He mentally scowled at himself.

She looked up and he froze,'' what happened to you?''

Chandhini looked down on her book,'' Hi. Nothing I went to park with friends and fell down from one of the swings.''

He was there before she completed her sentence. His hands were gentle as he checked the light cut from a tree branch on her cheek,'' You are so irresponsible.''

His words were in total contrast to his touch. Chandhini hugged him. Both didn't say anything. He hugged her back.

Chandhini,'' I missed you.''

Advay sat there, his ego stopping him from saying anything.

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

Advay slowly moved his fingers through chandini's hair. She was asleep but she was holding one of his earlobe in fingers. This was a habit from childhood. Something had scared her. He pulled her closer unable to stop himself. What could have happened?

...

Chandini dodged his questions for next week. He was sure something had happened and chandhini was determined to hide her blunder. This could only happen to her.

...

Slowly she started college and then academy. Her life started to have a routine. She enjoyed the academy atmosphere more. Everyone was much nicer. One of the fellow teachers, Pratham was especially nice. He joked and goofed around making everyone laugh. He reminded her of veer so he became a dear friend and when she found that he was Gauri's cousin brother, it cemented their friendship.

She still sent veer messages but it was more out of habit. For the last two months whenever she went to Mumbai he was away. She didn't know if he did it deliberately or not. But may be she was giving herself too much importance. She didn't really matter to him.

...

Veer was standing on balcony looking into dark night. Sheekha brought his coffee mug over to him and handed it to him.

Sheekha,'' why don't you talk to her and patch up?''

Veer stubbornly looked out in the night and stayed quiet.

Sheekha,'' I don't know what happened but I know you are not happy, she is sad . So finish this quarrel.'' she didn't know what happened but all she knew was that it involved Advay.

Sheekha,'' They are husband and wife and they are happy together. So why are you angry over something in past. We know chandhini is childish, she makes mistakes but she hasn't got a bad heart.''

Veer,'' Sheekha I don't want to talk about it. It's between us sibling. We will sort it out.''

Sheekha hit him on shoulder,''Don't take that tone of voice with me. Okay, I won't say anything. My lips are sealed.''

Veer looked at his mobile at the sound of an incoming message. It was 8. She must have texted him again. He opened the message and read it out of habit. For a moment he thought to delete it but like always he couldn't do it. His anger was cooled down but now he couldn't answer her back. Something if not said at start would always remain unsaid forever.

...

Advay sat tired on sofa in their family house in Mumbai while everyone chatted. It was one at night. Sheekha, chandhini and ayi were deep in conversation. While baba and veer were in a heated debate over local elections.

Ataya ji who had shifted to their home looked at his tired face and asked him about coffee. He refused and went up to sleep waving everyone goodbye.

Arnav and others got up and left to sleep too. Only Khushi, Veer and Ataya ji were left.

Ataya ji,'' Advay seemed very tired.''

Veer,'' he had an emergency for which he needed to go to states. He came back in morning and then he came here tonight. So he is tired.''

Khushi,'' He works too hard.''

Veer,'' what else can he do?'!

Ataya and Khushi looked at him in question,'' Nothing I mean chandhini is at college all the time and if he is not at work what else he can do.''

Khushi felt uneasy about what he said and told him to go and sleep.

He left. Khushi got up to go to her room too but Ataya ji stopped her,'' I think Veer is saying truth.''

Khushi nearly rolled her eyes. She just knew Ataya ji was going to say this.

Khushi,'' it's not like that. He has always been a workaholic. If chandhini is at home, he will still be at office. I know my son.''

Ataya ji,'' I won't say anything then but he has lost lot of weight. He wasn't like this when swathi was around. He used to joke and he regularly took time off from work.'' she left with that remark.

Khushi was left standing in the sitting room.