Arjun POV:

The entire day tiredness or the 3 longing months seemed to be never of a concern when I was greeted by her smile. Her smile is so infectious. I so missed her twinkling eyes, this smile of hers and the whole of her.

"Hello, you must be Ms. Sawant "her eyes reflected a moment of surprise but soon replaced with slyness

"Yes. And you are?" this time huge grin broke out in me seeing the way she is playing along.

"Um Kriti should have said about me. I am the new client you are expecting. By the way am Arjun Desai "I outstretched my hands entering the threshold.

Dressed in a full sleeved floral churidar and her usual lime fragrance surrounding her she was already taking breathe away.

She greeted my outstretched hands to be pulled in for what people say as bone crushing hug. I held her to assure myself that she is not a fragment of my imagination, or my early morning dream. She is in standing in front of me. Full in person. Her arms encasing my neck she was living her moment. Having her in my arms is what I say as Bliss.

We parted after few minutes, her smile is jubilant and I am sure she would say the same about me too. Not a single word exchanged from the minute I crossed the threshold, sprawled across the couch I held her tight to me. She was playing with my shirt buttons and let out the first word "How ?"

I looked at her to see she was too much in thoughts. I kissed her forehead and mouthed "It was Kriti." At that said she sprang up and sat straight with a don't kid me look .Pulling her to me and tightening my arms around her I let out a warning "Stay here just like before if you want me to explain further"

Seeing her quiet in my arms I continued further "It was a month after you left, and I was helping your Bua in wrapping things up with Dhore constructions. Out of the huge scandal on Dhore's all the big concerns walked out of the merger when Adhvik, Kriti's fiancé stepped in for the merger as he was interested in global market reach. By then Bua has finalised with the penthouse she wanted to gift Kavya and reached Adhvik's advice on Interior decoration. Adhvik suggested Kriti as she was his head designer in interior decoration. I took over the job to contact Kriti for suggestions. She sent me few templates which I and Bua discarded to the fact that didn't match Adi's and Kavya's taste.

So Kriti suggested to try this new technique to decorate and personalise the home with their portraits, and also mailed some freelancer's portraits which turned out to be of my Chand's" I said winking at her when she still had this confusion etched on her face

"But how did you know that it was mine?"

"Haa you often think am so Buddhu Basanti which am not. I have seen your portraits always have this half-moon sign at the corner so does all those sent by Kavya had. It was tough to persuade her to get your details but then she didn't budge until I revealed who I was. She had warned me of worst consequences if I get to hurt you anymore. From then on she used to keep me updated about you and occasionally converse with you while am on call so I could listen to your voice. She helped me to push this three months. If not for her and not for your voices I would have gone insane Basanti" I said the entire story of how I get to find on her whereabouts.

She was about to get up once again when I just pulled her close to me if I can anymore and whispered "Am sorry Basanti. I am sorry for being a jerk. I am sorry for saying those words. I am sorry for planning a revenge. I am sorry for not being there when you needed me and I am sorry that I didn't come soon to your life to make it bloom with happiness. "My voice lined with the grief of this 3 months.She nodded her head with tears brimming in eyes and hugged me.

"I am sorry Arjun to put you through so much. When I left you I was so sure that you will only miss me and no other pain would be there for you. But the fact that everyone shunned you away is because of me. I am sorry Arjun so very Sorry." She wailed on a top notch now, making me chuckle at her kid avatar.

"Awee Meri Basanti. Stop wailing like a kid. "I made her to look at me while she was still guilt-eyed.

"But Arjun it would have hurt you right? I know what it's to have people presence around us but not being the part of their life." I nodded my head acknowledging her fact "I was hurt Chand. But know what? I am happy equally that I had to go through this phase. It's so unfair that both of us had to undergo this but things I get to learn and know in this 3 months were so valuable. I got to know how much you were loved by my family that they were ready to oppose me for hurting you. I got to understand, I would not have survived if Di wasn't there with me all through this year. I realized that little moments spent with Adi made me happy for no reason. I understood that one need to have the maturity of Jeej when it comes to handling relations. We may be strongly bonded but there is this fragile thread of trust that I hampered and should amend it. Above all I opened up my eyes to the fact that it is you. You are my all and I cannot go hurting you again and again. So baby I am sorry for all that you have to go through because of me." I said pecking her forehead.

Her lips adorned with smile she mouthed "Did I say you today that how much I missed you?"

"Though I know, I would not miss a chance to hear it from you Basanti "I smiled to look at her hug me tightly and whisper "I missed you this much "indicating the pressure on the squeeze she gave me. For next few minutes there was this soothing silence between us when she spoke breaking it.

"Arjun, let's stop all our sorry's and having this guilty feel. That is not us right??All that matter for us is Us." She said searching for a yes in my eyes. Taking her hand in mine I added to what she said "Exactly Basanti. Also Past is past. Whatever happened before 2 days or 2 years or 7 years, let's put everything behind us and not talk about it, ever. Nothing should matter to us anymore. It's just you and me from now on. Just us." She smiled in her acceptance and stood up to move.

"Do not leave me Chand." I meant it which she brushed off saying she is going to prepare dinner for us. I pulled her towards me and reiterated "I mean it Chand, do not ever leave me if I do something wrong. Be mad at me, thrash me, don't speak with me, stay miffed at me .Do anything but please don't leave me."

I sounded very vulnerable at that moment and I could see the worry creeping her eyes. Guilt seeping through her soul, warmth in her eyes still intact "Let's get married Arjun. Tie me down to you with no escape routes. Will you?"

I know that is what future hold for us but Basanti voicing it out was altogether a different emotion. Throwing her insecurities away she embraced me and I made a promise to myself that am never ever going to hurt her or make her regret this decision

"Come lets go, now "I nudged her, she chuckled seeing me impatient and hit my head.

"All in good time Buddhu. May be after Bhai and Kavya get married or maybe after Di delivers little bunny" she was acting nonchalant making me smile.

"That long???" she hmmed

"Deal is that?" I asked mischievously

"Deal ..." before she could respond more I closed in for a kiss whispering coyly "let's seal our deal with a kiss".

When we broke apart for the much needed air, she leapt into the kitchen red faced. We were cuddling in her bed after our short dinner. That is when it struck me. I turned and pulled out her hand which had no bangles to see the gash marks.

"Bangles?" I questioned her rolling up the sleeves.

"It is not any more needed "She smiled helping me roll up her sleeves, looking at my face. There was a tattoo replacing her gash marks with my name.

"Basanti.." she didn't let me complete the sentence but let in her thoughts. "Arjun, I did this with all my will. I just want to let myself know, there are no more past in my life when my Arjun is there. So please no hard feelings and don't be upset. Also these days my life has been led by me on my own ways not by someone's command so I have taken all decisions with all of my heart including this" She sealed the talk there in a way that I could not argue more. I caressed my name on her wrist adorning the way she is merging stronger. Letting go of her days and accepting her life is the heaviest task and she is being good at it.

"Also am glad that I tried to do this stupidity years back. It was because of this he left Di unattended and came back to Sydney to look out for me. If not he would have done something heinous." Saying this she shuddered.

This girl is a blessing and I am the luckiest to have her in my life. Only she can think and look out for others even in her pain. I placed a soft kiss on her forehead and asked "Don't you want to know what happened to him Basanti?"

"Everyone think he has escaped from law but knowing about Kavya I know she would have taken care of him. But that no more matters to me Arjun. I am in the arms of the man who matters all to me." She drifted off to sleep when my thoughts moved back to that day Kavya called me.

***

"Why did you call me? Anything up with Adi?" Kavya looked taken aback for a moment

"How will I know what is happening with your friend? "she threw a nasty glare at me ,hopping in my car and directing me to wherever we were going.

Though everyone tried cornering me, they cannot keep me out of my ability to sense their thoughts. The very day Chandini left us, I knew Adi was interested in Kavya. He was clearly smitten by her and her audacity. He hasn't approached her yet that is why she looked taken aback. After a drive of an hour we stopped in outskirts, deep in the woods.

I was confused to see the deserted shipment container ahead of us. Before unlocking the door of the container she turned towards me saying "I am as much pissed as everyone out there for what you did to Chandini. But just like my maa believes I know too that you are the best for her. The best thing happened to her. That is why you are standing with me and I want you to forget that this happened between us. You are not going to let anyone know what happens here." Before I could acknowledge she opened the container.

A thin streak of light welcomed us from the narrow opening, with all sort of muffled thoughts I entered the container to see a man curled up in foetus position. I didn't take a second to recognise that it was the vile man himself. I may sound psychotic but the relief and happiness surged through me seeing him in torn and blooded clothes. The royal demeanour or the evil aura nothing resonated in his face except for the pain.

"How?" I emitted a feeble voice.

She chuckled turning towards me "You may think am a bloody physco but seeing him like this gives me a sort of calmness. I had him in my clutches the very day he landed here after the airport fiasco. I didn't have the heart to let him in the hands of law and see him walk away from my years of toil to nail him. Though the rage and fury in him wanted to make a hole on his body with the bullets I had a better idea for the sins he committed all throughout. For putting Anu di through so much, for abusing Chandini throughout her teen life and for the innumerable tears of young girls and the life's he has taken apart. I gave him my royal treatment for all these days, now am going to set him free. He is confined to this container but free from my tortures. He can call out for help, roam around this container and do whatever he pleases. I am going to throw the key away and conveniently forget his existence. Just had a thought you may love my idea."

I was awe at this woman standing in front. No fear, walking for the righteousness, she had this head strong nature which made me respect her. I cleared my throat and said "Feelings are mutual "

"He is in no position to talk but I left his ears and eyes untouched so he should be able to hear us and see you." saying this she dragged me towards him. Hearing the footsteps near him he turned and gestured her in a pleading way to the fact he had a swollen lips and missing teeth.

"Did you see here Mr.Dhore? You have a guest. He is Arjun Desai your sister's oops step sister's Lover." Sarcasm dripping through her words he looked at me scrunching his eyes.

"Thank your deity you b@stard, if I had my hands on you that would have been your last day on this Earth. " I stormed out of the container to control my hitching hands to thrash his head against the iron surface.

Soon she followed me to the car after locking the door and throwing the key away in the mudded puddle.

"What I did back then was also revenge. For Di, for Chandini and for all those unnamed girls. But I have chosen the right target and you the wrong one. I so wish I had met you in a different scenario. The man who made my Chandini go through days of happiness. I am still angry at you for showing her the happy moments and thrashing it in a minute. I may take few days but I will come around."with that said she hopped off from the car.

***

I pulled out of my thoughts to see her sleeping in my arms. Lips curled up in smile, she is having a peaceful sleep. I slowly stepped out and moved to the balcony taking the letter out. After being away for 3 months all I want to do is hold her forever with me but then I could not miss the habit I developed in past days. Reading the letter she left me before I fall asleep. In this few days apart from her, I would have read this thousand times that I know each word in it by heart.

Back then I was so heartbroken thinking she hasn't mentioned me in the letter sent to Anu and others. For a day and half I tried searching for her by visiting all the places we have been to and then it struck me.

"From now on this is going to be our hideout Arjun "her words rushed down on me making me hurry towards the old house where Basanti and her mother resided to see the small hut which they had at their backyard. To my luck it remained unlocked, I pushed it and entered to get stunned for a moment.

The entire place had the collection of my portraits. Starting from the one where I had first held her in my arms amidst the busy airport crowd, one where I was hugging Di outside temple, one where I was doing sit-ups with my entire family teasing me , I remembered that was when Di announced her pregnancy, the one from our twilight date and much more portraits of us.

Tears were gushing out thinking what I had lost in my life, the girl who was inanely in love with me. I was so deep in pain when I witnessed a white envelope. I rushed out and picked it my up. Seeing that it was addressed to me I cannot help but push myself to a relief that at least she is okay enough to leave me a letter.

Dearest Arjun,

I am happy that you hunted down this place and reading this letter right now. By now I would not be beside you and you would have known all the ugliest truth of my life. So am being good and giving you a fair warning, go from here before reading this and you are saved from me for the rest of your life. You can settle down with a good chick but I would claim your entire family ;) Chose me and go ahead reading this letter then you are tied down with me. Both ways I will claim your family mine ;)

Did my Buddhu liked the portraits? I said you would be the one seeing all my works someday. So you got to see them all now. Am I good at what I do? I tried capturing your charmness in those canvases, I am not sure if I was good enough but I think I did some justice. I was not a stalker Arjun but things happened and I got to meet you before our official car dash incident. I knew Di from back then. I am their Pari .Cool right :p

Uffff!!! This is getting tougher Buddhu. I so want to crumble this letter and crash myself in your arms. I am having second thoughts of leaving you. Yet I gotta do this for me, for you, for us. What should I start with Arjun? Where should I start with?

You must be so in pain for uttering those words to me but all I ask is don't be mad on yourself, because I understand. I totally understand. You may think just like others that I would have left you in anger. It is not that. Yes am upset with things happened but am not angry on you. If this has happened because of things you have uttered then I had let them happen. I should have let you in my past.I should have let you know of all things happened to me, then there would have been no chance to things you have uttered. Right?

This has happened because we had our own issues, for a moment you lost the trust in me and forever I was in insecurity about our relation. Now being by your side and seeing you in pain will divert me from insecurity, knowing my past and pain you would have the trust back in me. But this may be momentary. Down the lane what if this sorta issue occurs again? So let's take a breathing moment for ourselves. We love each other and this break doesn't going to change the fact. At least for another 3 months don't come for me Arjun. Let's not see each other or be in touch. The yearning and the missing moments will change our perspective on our relation. We will get back together with all trust on each other. In the meantime I will search for me. Let me live all alone, yearn money, build a carrier, make friends, learn the reality of the world and come back as a strong woman Arjun.

I had known that you were going to revenge me, I had known that you failed miserably and fallen for me. But whatever you would have chosen I would have let you do that to me because I was in love with you Arjun. That is why when I came to know that you will leave me for revenge plans I had come up with crazy date ideas to possess them for my whole life. Those memories are going to keep me going Arjun for upcoming days Arjun.

From dawn to dusk I wanted your memories Arjun, moments of our date nights would remember me of you. If I go for a wedding, when I travel by any mode of transport, when I look at the stars, when the sun sets, when I go for a walk, when I feed a local, when I draw a mehendi, when I faint :p .I have enough memories for next few days Buddhu. Thanks for making these days a happy moment of us. I am still happy thinking that there is gonna be an insane man holding this letter and would wait for me to return.

The only thing I terribly missed was to see Di and Jiju reaction knowing their bachu is in love with their Pari .Sad right? :'(

I promise that I will stay safe so no worry on your heads Arjun. Look after our family for me. When am back, I am going to give all the love to you with no worries of my past. I am going to love all the meal we are going to have. I am going to cherish all the places we are going to see. I am going to savour all the conversations that is going to happen between us. So stay strong Arjun.

Forever yours and only yours,

Basanti :)

From then on my most days were spent amidst our portraits in that hut. She had left all of her memories and love for me to strive these days. So when I say she is the most innocent person you all get to accept me.

****

CHANDINI POV:

I woke up to see Arjun missing beside me. I creped in to the balcony searching for him. He was holding the letter I left for him reading it again. Aww this man is making me go mad for him. As I stated in the letter he waited for me religiously for 3 months. I can embrace the happiness finally with no more of insecurities. Strangely my past didn't haunt me more. It's because this man standing here, even after knowing my all odds and downs. It's because of the family waiting for me to visit them after knowing all the black days of my life.

I hugged him from back and pulled the letter away saying "I am all here and you have the letter with you. So bad Sweetu"

"Oh not again baby!!!Quit with sweetu!!!" he gave a look turning towards me and holding my hands in his.

"Awwe no way sweetu " I said kissing his cheeks and added "But may be on a condition."

"And what is that ?" he sing songed with me

"When my sweetu is going to come clear with what is rupturing from inside. He is hesitating to ask something out in front of his Basanti. What can be that?" .I know he was wishing to ask me something but getting hushed after a second or two and I was seriously not sure what that might be.

"Baby..."

"Am all ears ...Go on "

"Wohhh..on that day.."

What is he hesitating this much for? Now am so eager to get it out that I gave him a serious look to go ahead.

He took a deep breath and rushed out the words from his mouth "Byanychanceareyoupregnant?"

I did not get a single word that I had to give an uhhhh look .And that is when the last word registered in my mind. Pregnant and me?

By now he pulled me for a hug and voiced seriously "Whatever your answer would be, I will remain happy. But are you by any chance?"

I could not hold back the erupting laughter that I laughed hard on his face...

"Jeez Arjun, nothing happened with that one day. So chill" I crackled

"What? Sometimes that can happen too. I was just being precautious with asking an all." He said saving him from embarrassment

"Who knows may be you are not .." he did not let me complete my sentence but started chasing me screaming "What was that you little girl was about to say ?Let me show you what I am capable of "

"No offense Arjun I just meant you are not lucky enough and stay away I am not ready for shotgun wedding " I chortled locked up in his arms

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

A/N:

Hello All!!! I am back soon ;) with an update !!So we have one more chapter to go for the end.

So how was this update ?Let me know what you think of this one,also drop in any of your queries or loop holes in the story.

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~Rami <3