If everyone was surprised seeing Viraj and his family with us then they didn't let it on. They warmly welcomed them along with Ganga Tai and Rudra, before coming to greet me.

Every warm and loving greeting of mine ended with, "we are still angry at you."

'As if,' I snorted in my mind. There words and their actions didn't match at all. They all were just too happy and too loving.

Breakfast was a busy affair. With everyone together, the house was too crowded. Yet even in this crowd, there wasn't a single man in the family who accidentally came too near me. They  managed to maintain the distance even in this mess.

That's what I loved about this family. They were there for you but never forced their presence on you.

While eating might have seemed crowded, cleaning up later was a total mess. Not wanting to give them extra work to mind my presence amidst all this, I walked out of the house for a while, not before asking them to leave a task or two for me to complete later.

Rudra was about to come with me, but as he was in the middle of talking something with Rishi, I told him I was fine to go alone.

I didn't exactly go far, just near the small garden they planted near the gate. Didn't have the guts to go ahead. Standing here was a huge task in itself. The entrance door was open though, for me to run back in if I couldn't take it.

I heard some footsteps, making me turn back to see Viraj had followed me out. He even closed the door behind him.

Great just great.

'Should have taken up Rudra's offer to come along with me,' I thought.

I couldn't abruptly leave but I didn't have the confidence to speak with him alone without Rudra's presence. He was my anchor.

I knew Viraj wasn't a bad guy. Even with all the suspicions I had, I somehow felt like I could trust him. And that made it even more scarier.

"Man, you sure have a great family. They are getting along so well with your boyfriend," Viraj commented, having just seen Rudra mingling around with everyone happily, before coming here.

'Weird way to start a conversation, but oh well,' I shrugged mentally, before correcting his misunderstanding.

"He is my bestfriend."

"So soon to be boyfriend then," he whistled.

"Nope. Only friends. For now and forever."

"A girl and a boy cannot be 'just friends'," he said, air quoting the last words.

I rolled my eyes at him, before turning to leave.

"What? You are even going to explain or say anything like 'no, no, we are different. Our friendship is not like that or something'. People usually defend themselves at these kinds of situations."

I looked back at him to see him scratching his head in confusion.

"Why should I?" I snorted.

"Huh?"

I gave him a sarcastic smile before saying, "Our friendship is none of your business, mister. What Rudra and I feel or not feel for each other is something for us to know. Other people can go to hell for all I care."

"He has a girlfriend, doesn't he?" He asked teasingly, but look oddly relieved.

I gave him a deadpan look. From all those words, all he managed to gather this.

He chuckled, seeing my reaction or lack of. "I guess I am right. My thought still stands. You cannot be just friends with a guy. Well a guy who is single to be exact," he said before blurting out a challenge. "How about you try with me then? Become my friend and let's see if we stay friends or become something more."

"I am not interested in trying anything."

"Scared that you will lose?" He wiggled his eyebrows.

I rolled my eyes at him, not bothering with any response, before turning to leave.

"Okay, okay, sorry. No challenge, but we can still become friends right." Viraj came down from his high horse instantly as soon as he knew his plan backfired.

"Hey! Come on, at least for old times sake," he said, walking behind me.

I didn't stop to listen to that idiot, which turned out to be a huge mistake.

He clasped my elbow from behind, trying to stop me, rendering me completely frozen in my place.

All the attitude, snarky remarks vanished and all that was left was fear, immense fear.

"Sia, Sia, what's wrong?" He asked in panic, having felt the change in my stance.

"Hey," he said, softly, patting my cheeks, unknowingly increasing the problem.

My breaths started getting heavy. I wanted to run away from there, but my body wasn't co-operating. My legs soon lost their stability and I ended up falling. Viraj immediately tried to stop the fall, however he was a second too late. Though he managed to minimise the impact as I fell down slowly rather than a thump.

He tried all sorts of things while I was just trying to get my senses back. I don't know how but fortunately he soon realised that problem was him. He took a few steps back to give me space but didn't leave in case I needed help.

It seemed like an eternity, but must have been only a few minutes before I felt okay. Still breathless, but much better.

Viraj looked utterly scared as he stared at me with tear-filled eyes.

I tried to stand up. He moved a little forward to help me, before backtracking again, probably think it would make the matters worse. Great decision, if I was being honest. Placing the palm on the ground, I stood up with its support.

"What happened to you Sia?" He whispered, sounding so broken.

"Don't worry too much. And it's not because of you," I clarified, thinking he must have been blaming himself, hence the teary eyes. "Just a phobia," I muttered, wiggling my hands uncomfortably. "I have been working on it to get better."

I then summarised about my problems and the work I have been doing to get better. I didn't know why but his eyes compelled me to tell him about everything.

"Is it because of your father?" He asked, rage brimming in his eyes.

"How do you...oh wait! Of course, you know," I scoffed.

He understood instantly that I had somewhat guessed about his ulterior motives. And he was quick to apologize.

"Sorry," he apologized in a hoarse voice. "I didn't realise the damage he must have done and I shamelessly tried to..."

"Why are you guys here, Viraj?" I asked directly, tired of beating around the bush.

Viraj ran his hand through his hair, not sure whether he should tell me or not.

"Friendship was a fluke, right? With me and my entire family," I switched the question, as I couldn't receive a response from the first one.

"We really like you guys. Always have. But right now—," he trailed off, looking guilty.

"But right now?" I asked again, looking into his eyes, though he averted them right away.

"Just blurt out the truth. Anyways I know this friendship with my family is not real. So there's not much use in keeping it a secret."

He sighed, before looking up. "Police found a source on your dad. According to it, there's a great chance that he will soon contact you guys. Since my dad was from this town, he was given this mission. A mission to get info on your dad from the family members and hopefully gather a trail to catch him."

"Sorry Sia. I know that he's your father, but he is also a —"

"Criminal," I finished for him.

"We didn't mean to play with you guys. Dad was just doing his duty and..." He blabbered on and on trying his best to explain their situation.

"I will let you know if dad contacts us. Although I don't think he would. Considering the fact that we were the ones who filed a case against him again after he was freed as not guilty." I told him, ignoring his apologies.

"Do what you want with my father, but don't play with my current family's hearts, Viraj. They are good people. It's a request," I said at last.

"We genuinely like your family, Sia. We always have. Can't you give me a second chance?" He asked, looking hopeful.

I was really angry and wanted to yell 'No' and go away. But then I also remembered the kid Viraj. The one I really liked. Our marriage was a play but my crush on him for all those years wasn't.

I was really sad when he had to go away because of his father's promotion/transfer. I wasn't sure where my feelings stood right now, but I didn't feel like parting with him again so soon. Although I wasn't really sure if he was same Viraj I knew and admired, or he had changed growing up.

"Ask me if you want to be my friend again after you catch my dad...that is if you would be still interested after your goal is completed," I said, wanting to give him a chance, but not wanting to become a scapegoat either.

'Nope can't risk being your friend," he said instantly.

I almost got hurt but his next words made me snort in amusement.

"Especially when it seems you don't date your friends. Can't take that risk. If I want something more...can I ask for that?"

This sly bastard.

"Nope. Either friends or nothing. I am not ready for anything more. And probably wouldn't be for many years to come." I told him honestly.

He looked down, his hands in pocket, kicking his leg on the ground, before letting out a puff of air and facing me again with a small smile.

"Looks like it's too early for 'our story'."

"Huh?" I raised my eyebrows at his choice of words.

His smiled widened, his expression suddenly cheerful as he clapped his hands. "No worries. I will patiently wait for our time; all the while cheering you on from the sidelines while you complete your
'Journey to Trust and Heal'.