Paakhi POV

"Will you stop staring at my stomach!" Aditi glare at me.

"What?! I'm just making sure that the baby is safe." I reply defensively.

"Why don't you do a thing, go inside my vagina and have a tour inside, this way you can check up on the baby." She replies.

"Oh my God!" I retort in horror.

Next to me, Sana and Maanya let out a loud snort.

Aditi smirk at me and I pout.

"I still can't believe you are pregnant." Sana voices out after her laughter resides.

"Me too, but what can I do? Now I have a bun in the oven." Aditi reply staring at her flat stomach.

"Is it just me or your sass has exacerbated?" I let out.

"Really? Does that mean my baby is Sassy as well? Aditi affirms in excitement.

I look at her stupefied. Is this topic something to be excited about?

"You should start taking lessons on what a kid should know or not!" I scold.

"Oh don't worry, my child has the best Masi, who is smart, philosophical and caring." She claims.

"Aww Aditi, I never knew you think so much of me," Maanya exclaims appreciatively.

"She is talking about me," I interfere.

Maanya look at me with a frown and reply, "what word among, smart, philosophical or caring describe you?" She asks defensively.

"Practically every, " I retort, suppressing a smile.

"Someone is so full of themselves." She mumbles with an eye twirl.

"Are you guys done?" Aditi exclaim from her position on the sofa, where she has been sitting for the whole day today.

"I have a very important thing to discuss." She announces unfolding her legs and sitting straight.

I look at her concern and wait for her to continue, "we need a new tv,"

I scowl at her for scaring me for a second.

"Oh yes, I agree," Maanya instantly agrees.

I scowl at them and reply,

"We don't have money, and to be honest now we have to save every penny to take care of the kid." I insist.

Aditi look sadly towards me, "your puppy eyes won't work." I exclaim and walk towards the kitchen.

"We can buy second-hand tv from my salary." She shouts from the living room. Her salary is practically nothing. But I can't say that.

"We have our mobile phones," I argue while assessing the contents in the fridge.

"It is not the same as tv, we can sit and watch together like a family," she urges walking towards me.

"I know but we can't add expenses like these," I replied making a mental note of going grocery shopping.

"Maanya, please request Paakhi..." She begs Maanya when it doesn't work with me.

While passing the living room to go to my room, I see them talking to each other.

I change into a pair of jeans and a casual top to go to the store.

"Paakhi, can we talk?" A few seconds later, I hear Sana knocking on my door.

"Oh of course, please come in."  I encourage and walk towards my bed.
She heeds me and takes a seat beside me.

"Are you okay?" I ask her when I see tears in her eyes.

She slightly nods her head, "I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I don't know what I would have done if you wouldn't have motivated me. I was living every day hoping he would change and maybe I would continue living like that. But that day, you told your story in front of everyone. The people you didn't even know. " she expresses.

I hold her hand and give it an assuring squeeze.

"When we went home, he started calling me names and blamed me for insulting him. He even slapped me, but that slapped was a wake-up call. I don't know what changed in me but I decided to leave him. And the only name that came to my mind was yours." I'm happy she is finally letting all out, which means she is accepting it and moving on.

I stay quiet and with a caress encourage her to continue, "You know, because of that man, I lost my brother, my best friend. Viren bhai was always against my relationship with Saurav, But Sourav was so good to me in the start, he made me feel special like a princess. Tell me Paakhi, what else does a girl need when someone loves her unconditionally? "

"When I chose Saurav over my family, especially Viren bhai, it broke him.  He was only close to me, he treated me like his daughter. He used to share everything with me. But when I eloped with Saurav, I broke all ties with my family.  Which was the worst decision of my life, and after a year, I heard Viren bhai left India. " currently she is a sobbing mess.  I hug her close to me and think about Viren, every time I hear a proclamation about him from any of his family members, my love for him increases. He is a close book, that I want to read. I want to add a chapter on happy Beginnings in it.

"Everything is okay, your brother loves you. Didn't he stand for you that day against Saurav? " I console.

"I know, and I want to ask him for forgiveness. But he won't talk to me." She let out.

"I will help you." I offer, and instantly a smile pulls up on her face.

"Will you?" She asks relieved.

I nod and she hugs me tightly.

"And one more thing, I need you to help me find a new apartment." She asks.

"Why? " I ask sadly.

"I can't prolong my stay and take advantage of your generosity." She confesses blushing.

"But we love having you here, you are like a sister to us, we are so used to have you here." I let out unhappy.

"I know we don't have enough space here..." I let out in shame.

"Oh God, space is not the problem, I love bunking in your bed." She let out giddily.

I laugh thinking about our sleeping arrangement.
After the previous experience of sleeping with Maanu, I started sleeping on the floor next to Sana who occupy my bed.

"So will you stay?" I ask hopefully.

"Yes of course. But on one condition, " she prompts.

"Anything" I agree instantly.

"Okay then." She replies and stands up.

"So what is it?"  I ask when she starts walking towards the door.

"It's a surprise and you already promised." She yells and sprints out of the room.

I laugh at her antics and grab my wallet.

Exiting my room, I enter the living room,

"Are you guys planning on digging a hole in the sofa?" I ask Maanu and Aditi, who are snoozing on the couch.

"Shhh..." Aditi hush and turn away.

I let them be and call for Sana's attention from her mobile phone and show my grocery bag, Implying I'm going shopping. She nods and passes a mysterious smile.

I shake my head and hope I didn't do something wrong agreeing to her.

Just as I exit my building, I get a call from Arhaan.

"Hi Arhaan, how are you?" I asked walking towards the store.

"I'm good, what about you?" He asks.

"I'm fine too," I reply, strolling.

"Listen, I wanna talk to you. Can we meet?" I hear the hesitation in his voice.

"Like right now?" I inquire afraid something might have happened.

"Yes, if you are free." He asserts.

"Umm okay, where do you want to meet?" I ask.

"Meet at the cafe, near your block, the one from where I got you guys croissants." He responded.

I nod and turn back, walking in the opposite direction of where I was going earlier.

All the way to the cafe, my heart was thumping. My mind was driving me crazy reckoning possibilities of this meet-up.

Entering the cafe, I take the cornerback seat and wait for him.
To distract me, I retract my phone from my pocket and message our agent for reminding him about work. We need an event, the last one was Yash's that thankfully gave us enough money to last long.

"Hi, thank you for coming." Arhaan's voice brings me back to the present.

"You have me worried, I hope everything is okay?" I let out.

"Yes, Why do you worry so much? You have started acquiring those stress lines." He points to my face.

Instinctively my hands touch my face, when I see a smirk on his face, I swat him.

"Jeez, woman," he let out rubbing his arm.

"So what is it that you called me so urgently?" I ask.

"I will tell you, but before that, what will you have?" He asks.

"A cold coffee, please." I request.

He nods and walks over to the counter to place our order.

I look around the cafe to see not a lot of people around. This is a small cafe around the block, but it is famous for its desserts.
People, especially foodies visit this place.

When Arhaan returns with our drinks he talks, "I need your help."

"For what?" I ask cautiously.

"I want to make Maanya mine." He confesses.

"She's already yours," I exclaim laughing.

But when he takes a deep breath I know something's wrong.

"I want her to be mine, FOREVER," he emphasizes word forever.

I know what he means by that.

"Isn't it too soon?" I inquire.

"No I don't think so, I know we are meant to be, then why waste time?" He summons.

"But you know..." I prompt.

"But I'm not him, I won't hurt her. And I thought you would understand me." He mumbles the last part.

"I do, of course, I understand you, and therefore I need to know why?" I ask instead.

"Why what?" He asks carefully.

"Why so sudden? Did something happen?" I inquire.

The sudden twitch in his eyes indicates there is more to it.

"Can't I ask my girlfriend to marry me?" He implores.

I lean back and access him thoroughly.

He is disturbed.

"Of course you can, but do it the right way, If Maanya finds out you are marrying for some reason other than this, she will be hurt." I declare.

"There is no other reason than I love her and want to spend my life with her." He proclaims.

"If this is the reason, Then I'm in." I smile excitedly.

He smiles back and asks, "So how should I do that?"

I smile mischievously and formulate a plan.

"So when are you planning to do it?" I ask after we discuss everything.

"Soon." He utters grinning.

"I'm so excited," I exclaim giddily.

Arhaan chuckle at me.

"Our drinks are spoiled now, " he utters taking a sip of his hot. Coffee now turned cold.

I chuckle at his scrunched-up face.

"By the way, I thought you would be helping me pursuing Viren but now the tables have turned." I tease him while walking towards the door.

"Your task is pretty much impossible. While mine is easy." He replies, holding the door for me.

"What an encouragement," I scoff. "I think Shaurya will be a better help than you."

"All the best with that," he chuckles.

"Come I'll drop you home," He invites as we reach his car.

"Oh no thank you, I need to go grocery shopping," I answer.

"I'll drop you there." He replies,
"It's the opposite way and Don't worry, I can take walk there," I exclaim.

He nods and I wave him goodbye.

After his car leave, I continue my walk towards the store.
To pass my time, I plug in earphones and listen to some music.

Reaching Rajesh Uncle's shop, I take off my earphones and greet him.

"Paakhi dear, how are you?" He exclaims excitedly.

"I'm fine, what about you?" I ask back.

"Irritating as always." I hear a retort from Aunty and chuckle.

"Aunty Priya," I cheer excitedly and hug her.

"How are you, my child?" She asks placing a kiss on my forehead.

"I'm good," I reply.

"You don't have any time for us," Aunty exclaims sadly.

"Aww, don't be like this, I have been busy," I mumble.

"Priya don't annoy the girl, she is a working woman." Uncle interfere.

"Hey, don't be like this, why don't you guys come for dinner? This way we can catch up." I invite.

"Oh no no, we were just teasing you." Uncle reply.

"Oh but I'm serious. Girls miss you." I persuade.

"Okay fine, we will come." Aunty accepts.

I hug her and rush towards the door to go home. When I realize the reason I come here.

"Umm...I need to buy stuff, otherwise, we all will be starved." I confess embarrassed.

Uncle and Aunty laugh hard and I stand there humiliated.

"Chandu, get Paakhi everything she needs." Uncle orders his helper.

After 15 minutes of asking for stuff and all, I  leave the shop with two bags of groceries.

Walking with the two full bags is a struggle. That is when I realize, I forgot to buy cheese.

So I instantly turn around to walk back when I notice something unusual. There stood a guy just a few inches away from me, he looks baffled, when our eyes meet, his eyes show fear.

He looks around and then quickly walks past me.

Feeling weird, I look around the empty street.

I'm so freaked out that I forget what was I about to do. Feeling helpless, I walk home.

"Hellooooo, someone open this door," I yell from outside the apartment door. I have been standing outside the door for the last 5 minutes.

"I can hear the commotion behind the door,"  I exclaim angrily.

"I will count till three, and if you won't open the door till then, You will regret it later," I demand. I'm seriously annoyed now.

"One."

"Two.."

"Three..."

"Welcome home!" Sana opens the door and greet.

"Took you long enough," I scowl and pick up the bags from the ground.

She just laughs and walks off.

"They are having a bad influence on you," I exclaim carrying both the heavy bags inside.

"Surprise!!!" Maanya and Aditi exclaim as I enter the living room.

They look so happy, standing in front of 32 inches led tv.

"How?" I ask shocked.

"Sana got it for us," Aditi exclaims excitedly and hugs Sana.

"Careful!" Sana chides before I could. So I shut up.

"I'm so happy, you came into our life," Maanu announce.

"Are you not happy?" Maanya scowl at me.

"Of course she will not be, she is dreary and doesn't appreciate someone else's gesture." Aditi scowl at me.

I'm hurt by their behaviour.

"Don't be like this Aditi, come I will show you one more thing," Sana exclaims influencing Aditi and Maanya to follow her to the balcony.

"Oh my God, you are the best. An angel sent from heaven." I hear the cheerful voice of Aditi.

She uses to call me angel,

"Thank you so much, Sana, you have given us everything..." I can't hear Maanya too announcing the greatness of Sana.

Entering my room, tears bawl out, blurring my vision. I take out my phone and fumble with it before throwing it on my bed.

I follow my phone and fall down face first.

"Was what I did not enough? Am I that bad oh no, not bad, what was that she called me? dreary. Just because I didn't allow them to buy a television?" I blabber feeling hurt with Maanu's and Aditi's words. "Who am I supposed to talk to when I feel hurt?" I pour my feelings out with each tear.

"Paakhi..." Suddenly the warmth of the wind caressed me
as I lay silently in place. I just heard his voice in the passing wind.

I instantly stand up and look out the window, expecting to see him there. But who am I kidding, he will not come.

Now my tears are flowing for the new reason, I miss him. I just need a hug from him.

I stand alert when I hear the commotion from the living room.

Walking towards the mirror, I see tear strains and red eyes. I panic because I can't walk out of this room with tear smudges.

Seeing a water bottle on my bedside table, I grab it and walk towards my window.

I open the cap and sprinkle some water on my face. The drawback of not having a personal bathroom.

I wipe my face and grab a fresh pair of linen from the cupboard.

Glancing in the mirror and after being convinced of my appearance. I exit the room.

"Where were you?" Maanya ask me.

"Uncle, Aunty?! So good to see you here." I greet them instead.

"Where were you girl?" Aunty ask.

"I went for grocery shopping and then went to change into the fresh set," I reply while picking up the grocery bags from where I have left them earlier.

Nobody in this house works except me.

"Let me help you," I hear Sana beside me. I smile and nod.

We work in harmony, "I never get to thank you for the television." I speak after a long silence.

"You are not angry with me?" She stops what she was doing and stand beside me.

"Of course not, why would I be? This is a sweet gesture from your side." I acknowledge honestly, I'm not upset with Sana but Maanya and Aditi, firstly for the way they behave and secondly, for acting as if we were living a life of the poor.

"Oh thank God, I thought you will be angry." She confesses hugging me.

I hug her back, thinking about how to pay her back around Rs.15,000.

"Oh wow, what is happening here?" Aunty Savy asks walking in.

"I was thanking Sana for television, " I answer.

She smiles at Sana who leaves the kitchen and turns towards me, "we will be going now." She tells.

"Why? stay for dinner." I propose.

"We were here to check on Aditi." She informs.

"Uncle Rajesh and Aunty Priya are coming for dinner. Stay, we all can have dinner together and talk." I plead.

"Okay, let me talk to your uncle." She replies and walks away.

In that instance, Maanya walks in and says, "why didn't you say that you invited people over dinner?"

"I'm sorry I didn't know I have to ask for your permission to invite someone over." I retort hurt by her harsh reaction.

"Now we have so much to do." She taunts and walks over to the refrigerator.

"Did something happen? why are you behaving like this?" I ask annoyed by her rudeness.

"Nothing," she utters and starts cutting some vegetables.

"Stop giving me these short replies?" I demand angrily.

"Did you talk to Yash?" She asks, surprising me for a second.

"No why?" I ask shocked.

"He called me, saying he has another event for us. And then I asked him about you and you know what he told me? That you are under a bad influence. The guy you are dating is bad for you." She accuses.

"Who is he to tell me what is wrong or right?!" I ask infuriated.

"He likes you Paakhi. Why don't you give him a try? He is a nice guy, and who is the guy he is talking about?" She asks angrily.

"No one, I'm not dating anyone. And you know that." I lie, knowing she won't accept my love for Viren.

"So meet him and tell him, clear the misunderstandings." She press, I'm infuriating right now. But I can't do anything about it, because we have guests coming over.

"Think about it." She pushes into the matter and leaves.

I transfer my anger to the chopping board and chop the vegetables.

"Oh my God, you did everything alone?" Sana asks entering the kitchen, 45 minutes later.

"And are you crying?" She asks concern.

"Oh no, I was slicing onions for the salad." I lie, concealing my tears by holding a knife and an onion.

"Oh okay, " she laughs and says, "I came to inform you, your guests are here."

I nod and turn off the gas before leaving.

Entering the hall, I see everyone sitting on the sofa, watching a movie together.

"Paakhi dear, this is a great surprise." Uncle Rajesh calls out hugging Uncle Abby.

I smile in acknowledgement.

"Dear should I help you in the kitchen?" Aunty Priya asks.

Before I could reply, Aditi announces, "oh no Aunty, Sana has everything done."

I look at her startled, is it just me taking it all wrong today, or are they doing it intentionally.

"Who is Sana?" Uncle Rajesh asks.

"She is Sana, our new flatmate, slash Sister." Aditi introduces her when she walks in with a tray with glasses of water on it.

"Such a hardworking child, "Aunty Priya bless her.
I stand there, listening to Aditi and Maanya acquainting everyone.

I just hate these kinda days, these days make me remember my loneliness at the orphanage. There I use to feel like this, all alone, hiding in the corner.

I take a deep breath to avoid going into that memory lane.

" I will serve dinner for everyone," Sana announce when Aditi started extolling her.

"Aww, she is blushing. " Aunty coo.

Just as Sana stand, I walk over to take a seat, as I'm feeling exhausted.

But before I can sit, Aunty Savy asks, "Paakhi, go help that girl. She can't do everything alone."

I nod and walk towards the kitchen.

"Here, let me help you," I say taking the plates from Sana and setting it on the dining table.

Sana brings the cutlery and glasses. I arrange everything on the table and call everyone for dinner.

"This dal makhani is delicious." Uncle Rajesh appreciates.

"This is my Paakhi's specialty." Uncle Abby praises looking at me.

I smile feeling happy he knows my hand's taste.

Dinner was an eventful experience, everyone mingled among themselves and appreciations for Sana were passed around. I'm seriously tired of hearing about this new television.

After everyone ate, we decide to sit on the balcony where another surprise was waiting for me.

"Wow, what a beautiful swing." Aunties exclaim, staring at the porch swing.

I'm in awe of this but feel humiliating as Sana has spent so much on us.

"This is the best part after the dinner. Sitting on this swing with a bowl of custard, I love you, Sana." Aditi exclaims grabbing a bowl of custard from Sana.

Everyone hums with her and devours the custard. I'm so worn that this custard feels tasteless.

"Thank you for the dinner Sana, but We will leave now. Rajesh has to open the shop in the morning." An hour later Aunty Priya announce.

"Thank you for coming." I acknowledge them.

They nod at me and walk outside. Just a few minutes later, Uncle Abby and Aunt Savy depart.

"It was so fun having people around." Maanya exclaim with a yawn.

Wasn't she the one against inviting people over?!

"Night guys, I'm tired," she announces and walks towards her room.

"Me too," Aditi mumble and grab her phone from the couch before leaving.

"Don't forget to take your medicines." I call out to which Sana chuckle and reply, "I already gave her medicines."

I nod and walk towards the kitchen to clean.

After keeping the leftovers in the fridge, I see the living room lights setting off.

Meaning, Sana is off to bed.

Taking a deep breath and a glass of water, I walk towards the balcony.

I look at the Swing and control my temptation to sit on it.
Staring at it my mind plays the dull thoughts.

I walk back inside but looking at the television, my mind starts playing the flashbacks of me in that dingy orphanage.

My breathing becomes uneven, I look around for help, when got none, I grab my mobile phone, and the apartment keys.

Slowly, I close the apartment door and take the stairs.

Leaving the building, I look around aimlessly. My tears are flowing full-blown blurring my vision.

I panic and hold my head, trying to stop those bad memories to resurface. When it gets too much, I take out my phone and call the one person I know will protect me.

__________________________________

VIREN POV

Sometimes I wonder, is my life all about work? I wake up early, go to the office, work and then come home at night, eat, and then work before going to bed.

Some days it is best because work occupies my mind and don't get to think about her.

My crazy girl...

I never believed those cliche stories I have heard about love, that A rude powerful man will fall in love and change himself.
But now I believe it because it is not the girl that changes you, it is love that you feel for that person. You are too happy to brood.

Tossing around I look at the time to see it's 11 pm and no evidence of sleep.

I get up and take a sip of water.

Just as I put down the glass, my phone buzz.

With inquisitiveness, I grab my phone and see Paakhi calling. Without wasting a second I pick it up.

"Hello?" I ask standing up and walking towards the balcony.

There is silence on the other hand but when I wonder there is a network error, I hear a muffled sob.

My heart twitches and I worriedly ask, "Paakhi? Are you okay?"

"Please tell me what happened? Okay, tell me where are you? I'm coming." I ramble when her sobbing increase.

I grab my car keys and rush out of the room.

"Please..." I whisper helplessly, slowly walking downstairs so that not to disturb anyone.

"Save me please," she mumbled vulnerably and hang up.

I quit my slow pace and hurry towards my car. Entering it I revive the engine and Zoom past the guardhouse.

I try calling her but she doesn't pick up.

Slamming on the accelerator I increase the speed.

Taking a turn towards her block, I sigh in relief when I see her sitting holding her head between her hands on the pathway.

I park my car and walk towards her. Seeing me she leaps up and hugs me. I wrap my hands around her and hold her to me.

Her heart-wrenching sobs are disturbing me.

"They are back...they will take me with them. Please save me, please Viren." She mumbles repeatedly.

"Who is it Paakhi? There is nobody here." I console her.

"They are here." She answers pointing towards her head.

I understood she is remembering bad thoughts. So I pull her forward and place a kiss on her head.

"Come." I take her hand and tug her towards the car. She doesn't object and cooperate.

I take my seat and drive off.

From time to time, I peek at her and see her looking out of the window.

I drive for 45 minutes and park my car.
Exiting it, I stride towards her side and help her out.

"I hope now you will feel better," I whisper, looking at the empty street in front.

She smiles and walks toward the hood of the car and leans on it.
I follow her actions and look ahead.

"This looks so different at night." She expresses looking at her favourite relaxation spot she shared with me.

This scenery is quite conflicting, how can something be beautiful and scary at the same time?

"Thank you for coming." She confesses exhaling a deep breath.

"I'm sorry for disturbing you like that, I was..." She halts and then continues, "I was scared and didn't know what to do? But my heart told me to call you as if you are the solution to my problem" she scoffs in the end.

"Don't think about it," I reply feeling happy she finds me solacing.

"Why not? Am I not pathetic? A guy rejects me and like an idiot, I call him when I'm sad. You might think how desperate I'm." She retorts embarrassed.

"Why do you think like that? Why don't you understand this is not easy for me!" I let out annoyed.

"Then why are you doing this? Why am I not enough for anyone? Why what I do is always insufficient? " she shouts losing her balance and falling on her knees.

"I don't know what made you think that but for me, you are more than enough. You are perfect, and I don't want to tarnish your perfection. " I confess kneeling and caressing her face.

"No, I'm not, I have my flaws and nobody can tarnish anyone. I don't know what is stopping you but I need you Viren. I want you. " she pleads.

"Me too," I mumble and lean in. She meets me halfway and we kiss.

This kiss is different from earlier. It is like we are pouring our love and feelings into each other. What words can't describe, we are saying it with this kiss.

What felt like an eternity, we pull back.

"Paakhi I-" she puts a finger on my mouth and shushes me.

"Not now, let me live in this moment. Don't spoil it, please. We can worry about everything later. Let us live in this moment, even if it's our last with each other." She pleads staring into my eyes.

I nod my head, even though my mind is telling me against it. But for the first time, I let my heart win.

Is this the right decision?

__________________________________

Masi - mother's sister.

Hey, lovelies.

So I want to say something, no one is perfect, we are humans we feel every emotion, even if it is jealousy or insecurity. Paakhi is just like that, sometimes or someday are like when small things pinch us, which we often dismiss.

So how was the update?

Do not forget to like or comment.