'Why would she do it?'wondered Ayush. He had seen Samaira picking up his watch from the floor and putting it in her pocket. But he had failed to notice the scratch on it.

Why did she lie? Did she not want him to keep it? Does she want him to forget Praniti that soon? Was she...... jealous? What was she going to do with it? Throw it away?

Yes, he was trying to give a chance to this relationship, but this act that happened from her side made him a bit surprised. She have never given a hint on what she really think about the bond they share. She had only told him that she's doing this for Praniti and their children and was not sure if they will ever be able to live life as a couple. Because both of them still had fresh wounds and deep inside was not ready to leave the thoughts of their past.

Ayush has seen her evolve from a woman who emitted vibes of positivity into a loner when she was not with her children. She talked only if it was too important or necessary which was very unlikely of her.

He has seen her spending nights standing by the balcony, staring at the vehicles which moved without a halt and tall buildings which had lights on till late night.

He crashed on the bed. It has been weeks since the happening and he was still behind it. He had one more thing poking inside him. Tomorrow was Samaira's birthday as well as Praniti's. He wondered whether he should be sad or hopeful. It was confusing him big time. He knew that he was in a condition in which both these emotions were mixed.

He tried to stick to the side of the second one more because only having faith can help him lead a better life. He wanted to make Samaira smile on her birthday rather than making her take part in his sorrow. He was thinking hard what he could do for her.

She was a person who tried all ways to stay away from big functions. Hated decking up. He wanted to give her something simple but special. He never realized when he drifted off to the solace - filled arms of sleep.

Times passed and the day Ayush was waiting for came. Her birthday. Or should he say their birthday?

He was now waiting for her arrival. He breathed slowly as he sat thinking on the couch. Kevin and Reyan was seated on his either sides and Prarthana on his lap. She was playing with his incredibly long fingers. Coiling it in and out and wrapping her tiny hands around his big thumb. Ayush involuntarily kissed her forehead and took her into his arms, engulfing her in an embrace. She had been a good girl today, throwing less tantrums.
Kevin and Reyan made poker faces seeing their dad hug their sister and not them. Ayush noticed this released Prarthana. He then spread his arms and wrapped it around both of them, pulling them closer to him. Feeling her dad leaving her, Prarthana cried out on top of her voice. Ayush frowned.What was he going to do? He had only two arms.
He wondered how women with ten and eleven children during the olden times raised them. Its so difficult. He was already juggling on one feet with these three.
He now had a better idea. He made three of them sit on their toy mat and he sat on the couch. It was better than balancing three at once. But now something more unexpected happened.
The three kids started screaming and wailing their hearts out all at once. Ayush caught his head.
"You guys have a great timing though. All the three started crying together. "he said and sat down on the floor. He too was thinking of crying to give the three of them company.

Ayush was anxious. It was ten in the night and Samaira was not home yet. All the calls he made went unanswered. Jannat confirmed that she had left the hospital at six itself. He grew more nervous with time passing.
What could happen to her ?Where was she? Most importantly why was she not picking up his calls though it's going through? What had happened to her? Where will he search for her in this big city? She never went anywhere other than the hospital and malls. But never was so late.
He decided to go out and look for her. What if something happens to her? Or did something happen to her already?

He opened the door of the apartment and kids tagged along. He decided to take the elevator to go down. He waited for it to open but was taken aback when it did.

There she was standing inside with her head bent down.

He felt relieved but more furious. He felt anger building inside him. He was so worried.

She came out and was baffled to see him and the kids. She took the children in her arms and plopped kisses on their faces. They clinged onto her mother. He could see tears rolling down her cheeks. Her eyes were red and swollen. It seemed like she had cried for a long time.

What happened to her suddenly? He had seen her before leaving the hospital early in the afternoon. She was okay.

Whatever the reason was,his anger was going uncontrollable. He felt like shouting at her but somehow managed to keep quiet.

How can she be so irresponsible? She could have at least picked up his calls. Doesn't she know she have children and a husband waiting at home? Or does she think he's not worthy to know where she was at a late night?

But why was this angering him so much? Did she not have the right to do what she wants? Why did he feel so much of tension when she was missing for a while? He brushed off the thoughts and walked straight to their apartment without uttering a word.

Samaira knew he was angry. She behaved like an immature person. She could have answered his calls. But she simply was not in a position to do so. She did not want someone to hear her shaky voice nor her stifled cries.

She wiped away a lone tear and followed Ayush to the apartment with the kids. She tucked them to sleep and freshened up. The soothing touch of the warm water did calm down her a bit.

She slowly walked outside the room to the balcony. Ayush had not spoken word after slamming his door shut before some time. She knew none would understand her. She didn't want to share anything with him too. When she thought her life was settling down, problems started again.

She gripped the railing tightly. She did not feel like crying but cringing at herself. Why does life have to be so unfair to her? Why was it such an ugly mess? Did she even deserve this thing called peace?

She collapsed on a chair beside only to see him, already seated on another chair beside her. So he was there behind her all this while.

"What's it? I wanna know. "he asked.He had got a grip on his anger.He felt that he should make her share her problem rather than remaining furious at her.

She leaned on the chair and closed her eyes. No. She can't do this. She will surely break down if she say what happened and she didn't want him to see her weak side again.

"Samaira.. I demand an answer. "he asked again.

"Why.. Why do you want to know? You were better off sleeping by now? Why losing your sleep for me? Go to bed. "she tried to shoo him away.

"Oh! Come on! How long will you hide your feelings? You're anyways trapped with me forever. "he remarked and looked at her intently.

She played with her fingers and bit her lips. Should she talk to him about it?Even if she does what difference will it make? Everything meant to happen have happened.

Deep inside, she knew that sharing her pain would lessen it. But something stopped her from doing so.

Samaira's silence irked Ayush. But he chose to stay calm and give time for her to open up.

"Samaira... It's not a sin to share your worries. You'll at least feel better if you do so. "he said slowly with a kind of affection.

She looked at him, trying to read his eyes. It showed care and willingness to hear her out. She then looked down and gathered herself.

"Till now.. I had problems with my personal life only. But now my proffesional life.. My career... All is at stake. I feel like hiding somewhere and never coming out. "she said.Dejection and pain was visible in her voice.

He eyed her to continue. He wondered what happened suddenly and why did this have to happen on her birthday itself. He thought she was sad maybe because today reminded her of Praniti. But no. There was some other reason.

"I have looked after many patients and have never ever left a stone unturned to keep them healthy. But a few days before.... A baby died shortly after its birth. The reason behind it was unknown. I had hard time consoling the mother who was miserable. She clung onto me and cried. But never blamed me. I too was sad. She was pregnant after many years of trying and this was the least thing I expected to happen. "she said and rose from the chair to stand by the railing, staring at the lawn down.

"The trouble started when her husband came to know about this. He lost his temper and made quite a scene. Even raised his hand on me but was stopped by the authorities. I know how devastating it is for a father to know his child is dead.So I didn't complain to anyone and let it slide. The baby's body has been sent for an autopsy. "she halted. Her voice had began shaking.

"But today... I came to know that he filed a case against me.. For medicinal negligence and death of his child. He's insanely rich and distant relative of our director. So... now I'm fired until my innocence is proved....If something goes against me......I.. Can be imprisoned and even made to pay a large fine. "she was losing her composure and he stood up to her. He stood very close to her.

"I swear.. I haven't done anything wrong or neglected her. I've decided to go with the flow. I just realized that for me... peace is a delusion.. Like a mirage.. I see it far away.. But when I feel I've reached it, it disappears.. Just like that. "she was surprised when he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and made her stand close to him. She didn't know what made her lean onto his shoulder.

Ayush had now understood the seriousness for the matter. It was not as simple as she think.

"Samaira.. I know you give your best to every patient.. And you can't leave this matter just like that. We'll meet an advocate tommorow itself. I know you have not done anything wrong."he consoled her.

She suddenly broke into silent sobs and he shouldered her. After sometime,he made her sit on the chair. He then kneeled down to her level.

"Samaira. You're not alone in this. We are going to end this problem together. You can't do everything alone like you used to. Now stop crying, nothing is going to happen to you.Trust me. "he said and she kept an expressionless face. After a small while, she nodded at him.

She felt somewhat better now. It relieved her a bit when someone consoled her and promised his support. She had always been reluctant to share her problems and worries since Praniti's death. She had her mother always but was not willing to worry the old lady anymore. She always had her sister's unsaid support even though she never asked her much about her personal life.

"Life will never be easy. But that doesn't mean we should leave all our hopes because today is not the end. You are here to overcome them not to give up. And I don't think you will allow yourself to be defeated. "he stated as he took his place on a chair beside.

Samaira was lost in his words, pondering over them. Why did it give her more strength and positive vibes? She saw him stare at the stars of the sky while his hand ran through his hair.

"I have something to give you. "she said and stood up, taking him by surprise.

I want big comments!!! Please!! Next update will depend on it! (Hehehe.. Not actually.. I can't abandon this story though I update slowly 😁😜)