A/N :Italicized is Anu's past 

***

Chandini's POV

Out of reflex action I caught the hand of the lady before me and steadied her to stop her from falling on the steps. I was observing her from the time she entered temple, the smile intact on her face just like yesterday. When she exited the temple, I too followed her just because I thought I could get a glimpse of him, his charcoal grey eyes. She seemed to be losing balance , I supported her towards the foot of stairs and made her sit on the bleachers.

After calming herself for few minutes, she turned towards me with that pretty smile of hers.

"Are you okay now?" I gave her the bottle of water taken from my car. Well, Kavya is keeping track of me so she was the one who called for another one of Dhore's car since my old one was in mechanic shop

"Thank you so much dear, I was okay minutes ago but suddenly I felt sick. If not for you, I would have been left with a broken rib" she jested at me holding my hands.

Just seeing her smile would make anyone smile, such a contagious smile she has. An involuntary smile broke on my face.

"It is okay. I am Chandini Sawant"

"Anumithra Rao.I haven't seen you earlier in this temple dear. Are you new to this place?" her voice held the fondness which I have never experienced before.

"Uh, no and yes. I was actually away for my studies, back now to my birth place for few days Di." I was shocked at myself for calling someone with a relation, after my ma there was no one who could fill in the space as my relation. Buaji is far different story, out of respect I call her that. She never had that liking towards me nor me towards her.

"Don't look perturbed Chandini, you can very well call me as Di. I am always a proud Di having two caring brothers, now I got another caring sibling to add to the list." The mention of her brother shifted my thoughts to certain 6 foot male. Out of curiosity, just to confirm if she Arjun's sister I asked her with fake mocking tone "Have you come alone Di? Why didn't your caring brothers accompany you? Are they that busy?"

"Ah, don't ask me, I am much good away from those dumb heads. My Husband is busy in one of his cases, Adi said he is going for a visit on our branch of hotels, and my bachu said he need to get some car delivered from mechanic shed. Oops, you will be confused with my blunt replies right?" she cutely scrunched her nose and continued " Adi is Arjun's, my bachu's friend, though he is an outsider for others for me and Arjun he is a brother from different womb ,they together own A2 group of hotels across Mumbai. My husband is a busy psychiatrist."

"You should be much more careful now Di, do not come out without any one by your side." my protective side barged out of me.

She looked at me for answers. "Your radiant face, the instant action of your hands shooting up towards the tummy during your fall made me think you should be having a good news and a lil bunny in your stomach. Isn't it Di?"

Her smile grew big and she caressed her stomach "I am not yet sure Chandini, I need to check with a gynec. I don't wish to raise hopes of my hubby and brothers so I didn't bother coming alone here today"

"Di, if you don't mind I can accompany you to check-up and whenever you want someone by your side you can call me"

Looking hopeful at me she questioned like a child "will you now?"

The tight grip on my hands brought me out of my thoughts. I glanced around to see Di having a wide smile, gynec prescribing medicine and instructing her on DO's and Don'ts. Once outside of gynec room, she hugged me before I could congratulate her for the lil bunny.

"Thanks Chandini, thank you so much .I was afraid to do this alone but you gave me huge emotional support by being here. This is why I always wished I had a sister "her eyes are coated with sheen layer of happy tears. Those may be simplest words, but I realized the depth of it .At that moment I knew, we are going to be inseparable, for whatever time I am going to spend in India

On the way back from hospital I wondered how I can hit off with her in such a small time. I was never comfortable with anyone new. Even with Kavya it took me days to get used to her presence, but Di is entirely a different story. She was busy in making plans for lunch with her family. Hugging me and with a meet you later message Di got down @ A2 hotel, where I met him yesterday. I was asked to join her for lunch but I decided against it. She needs some time alone with her family.

Few minutes later, I entered the restaurant lounge asking for Mrs. Rao. As the lady in front desk directed me, I walked towards Di's table to handover the reports she has left in my car. I could not hold back my ghost of a smile witnessing the scene in front of me. There in the secluded table Di was sitting between two guys and Arjun was doing sit ups. He looked like the little boy caught red handed for stealing.

"Bachu I forgive you now stop it "she said with twinkling eyes.

"No Di, let him do some more and shed his ego at least by this way. He never was punctual and he never will be" the guy who said this earned a punch from Arjun. He must be Adi.

"Aju, learn to be punctual man "another guy who was beside Di said side hugging her. He must be Di's hubby, Pranav Rao.

Arjun pouted cutely. "Jeej seriously? it is because of you I was late today. As usual you wooed your wife with roses, but here I am taking punishment for being late from Anu. Common, who buys roses even after 2 years of their marriage life" Arjun scoffed, but I can see the pure adoration in his eyes for the couple in front.

"Arjun I will see how you will act with your wife, when you are married." Di said with a wink

"Anu not again on my marriage talks. Common open up the secret why was we all adjourned here by the mighty highness." Arjun mocked her.

I slowly withdrew myself from there, not having heart to spoil the family talk. I found a waitron, ordered cake for Anu di, handed over the reports asking him to deliver it to her with my message on a tissue.

I sighed sitting back on the couch and admired my work of past 7 hours -named Happy Family. My eyes was fixated on his eyes I drew 2 days back.

I know I am attracted to Arjun, but I cannot spoil his life by barging in to his family, and just because I have feelings for him doesn't mean he is going to reciprocate. I just wanted to spend next few days of my life with happy thoughts of him. He is one among my unfulfilled wishes. The first man who sought out to my heart. His eyes spoke out his love and adoration for his family.I wished to see how he will react when he hears the happy news from Di, but standing there made me feel to be a part of their happy family, so I soon exited that place. I thought he may call me today for getting my car delivered but tchhh he never did till now. This explains am writing a love story in open air.

*Sigh*Charmer my brain mocked me

Anu di, she is such a sweet heart. I am happy to be by her side, she can be such a child at times, its only for 4 hours I met and conversed with her but the infectious love she feel towards me gives me huge relief that through this empty world I have earned another soul apart from Kavya to love me. I feel alive again with her by my side, I also know it's not because she is Arjun's sister, it is purely because who she is.

Coming to India wasn't a bad idea. Thanks Devi ma. You have given me something to hold on to.

Arjun's POV:

I have never seen Anu this happy for past 3 years. She found her true love from Jeej and was happy with him. But happiness she was in today was something different, it enthralled all of us. She is going to become a mother soon. It was a shocking surprise for all of us. Jeej was elated when she opened the news. As if on cue, waitron bought a cake, some papers and handed over to Di. Reading something on paper she broke into one of her "ANU" smile and said how she met a stranger who helped her to hospital, also ordered the cake for her as surprise. This strange girl must be something, she caught hold of my Anu's heart in short while. For past 3 years Anu never conversed much with strangers, made friends or contacted her old friends. She only spent her time with us and with people in the small old age home she started after her marriage. Today I saw my old Anu, the teen girl who was always surrounded by people. My Anu started trusting people once again. Thanks to some random stranger.

***

"It all started when I was promoted and got added responsibilities in my job. One day I was proof reading the article by junior reporter to be published, I came across some disturbing statistics, that still human trafficking happens in Mumbai. I started investigating on the issue and started collecting evidences. Unfortunately, the man behind all this was famous business icon Pradeep Dhore. Unable to believe the truth that such a social person can be criminal, I met chief editor of my paper and submitted all my findings to him to bring the truth to limelight. He vouched that our newspaper will bring out the truth to the world. Relieved by the promise he made I came home on that day.

It was first year start-up of A2 hotel, deciding to get ourselves spoiled - Me, Bachu and Adi planned for a small road trip to Goa. When we were about to start I got call from my editor to meet him regarding Pradeep's case. So I ditched Adi and Arjun to meet up with my editor. They were angry at me for being the party pooper and continued with their trip.

When I went to the hotel I was called for by my Editor, I was shocked to find Pradeep sitting with the case file I submitted to editor in his hands. He was raged at things happened, before I realize what is happening I lost consciousness. When I woke up I was in a dark place, with heavy migraine pain. Pradeep was raged at my attempt to pull his cover and shed his original face to world. He was screaming at me but nothing registered in my mind. All I wanted was to reach home to my Bachu and Adi" Anu's voice wavered here but still she continued "And then he started pushing me to bed and removing my clothes, I was unable to do anything, I was not able to fight him, I was weak. Shrill sound of his mobile stopped his antics. All I could make out was some words during his conversation like Baby girl in hospital, How come?, I am coming to Sydney.

Then he threatened me to stop with the investigation and ordered his goons to throw me away in front of a cheap motel and fled the place in urgency. If it was not for some baby girl he said on call, I would be tainted by now."

The room echoed deep silence, as the recording stopped.

"So Arjun this is what has happened on the two days she was kidnapped, on your insistence I let you and Adi hear this conversation which I recorded in Anu's hypnotized state. As per the medical records you gave me she was highly drugged for two days, they made sure she will be under the influence of drugs. And also he didn't rape her because of the call he received at the last moment. If I am not wrong the pictures of her in drugged state, torn clothes and with random men should have been taken on this two days" Pranav completed and let out a sharp breath focusing on Adi's and Arjun's reaction.

When they found their sister was not reachable for an entire day they returned back to Mumbai from Goa to find her missing. Her friends, colleagues none had an idea where she will be, searching street by street they ended up in police station to lodge a complaint. Police took them to hospital and shoved the newspaper on their face telling how characterless their Di was. Unable to withstand their accusation and not having any power to oppose them Adi and Arjun first prioritized on health of their Di. None of her colleagues, or her students believed she will be innocent. Characterless S*utty Reporter was the hot topic for few days. Everyone stood with the fake news and judged her.

It took great effort from Adi and Arjun to cajole Anu on letting the person behind this, but Anu never opened her mouth on what happened, that is when Pranav who was treating Anu for her depression decided to help them and let them hear the recorded voice of Anu.

Arjun and Adi were having hard time to maintain their composure,on hearing what had happened. Their Anu had undergone so much and they were unable to protect her from anything. They silently vouched that Pradeep will meet his doomsday in their hands but he will never find out the reason he was revenged for or the persons who revenged him until the doomsday 

***

A/N:

Hello People,

So now you got why Arjun and Adi wanted revenge right?What do you think about Pradeep?

How was the relation between Anu and Chandini?

How was the chapter?Good /bad ?Leave your votes and comments to let me know 

~Rami <3