Author's POV:

"You guys are wrong in your position for keeping your careers above your children. You forgot to give your time to them. In running behind on your work, you forgot about the family you have to take care of. Didn't thatha (grandpa) and Anju atta (aunt/bua/mami) warn you to spend your time with Maya and Nandu? You started to demand them instead of showering them with love. Somewhere, I felt you thought of them as a burden instead of responsibility." He took a deep breath and asked them, "Do you guys regret giving birth to them?"

Everyone snapped their heads at him, listening to his words. Rishi and Sakshi had tears in their eyes. Why do they regret giving birth to a part of them? But, he is right in his position, isn't he?

You guys are not like this, atta. Then what changed? Answer yourself. You guys became so hard as rocks that you were not even able to see the pain of your children. Instead of supporting and encouraging them to achieve their dreams, you started to snatch them. He shut his eyes and continued, even though Maya was wrong in thinking that she could handle everything on her own. She shouldn't have followed your every word by suppressing her wishes. I didn't understand one thing. You are both pursuing the career that you had dreamt of, so why didn't you agree when it came to your kids? Atta, I heard that you are a fierce and bold lady who stands firm with her decisions if it is right and strongly opposes the wrong things. I heard that before judging a person, you used to think a thousand times. Then why did you judge your daughter so quickly and make a harsh decision even though deep down you knew that she wouldn't do such things? Don't you trust your own upbringing?

Anju's eyes glistened as she listened to it. True, her sister never cared for others' opinions if she felt it was right. She fought with a man and beat him to the blue and black who had once teased her. Anju used to tease Sakshi by calling her Anna (brother) instead of Akka (sister). After a year of joining her job, she felt her sister had started changing slowly into a whole new person.

Avi: What happened to that lady, Attayya? And Mavayya, I heard that you don't trust a person quickly. Then why did you trust those people on that day, who had already done enough damage to our family? He took a deep breath and continued, You guys believed their false accusations and trusted them over my wife, right? So, now I'm giving you guys one week's time. Prove to me that guy is innocent in this one-week period. Remember, just one week, if you guys fail, then I'll make sure they both rot in the hell. And, stay away from my wife. I have more to say, but I really don't know what will happen if I speak for some more time.

Saying that, he dragged Maya along with him to their room. He banged on the door, making her flinch. He composed himself and moved to the balcony without speaking a word. While she followed him like a scared kitten. Well, this is the first time she's gotten afraid of his anger. She slowly went and stood behind him.

Sensing her presence, he told her, "Leave from here before I say something, Maya."

"But you only dragged me with you", Maya said, pouting like a kid.

He turned around and pulled her, making her land on his chest. His eyes were spitting fire. She shut her eyes, seeing him, and held his shoulder tightly. She slowly opened her one eye and looked at him. He raised his eyebrows at her and asked her "what." She shook her head and pouted at him, seeing him not talking to her properly. Suddenly, an idea popped up in her mind. She looked at him mischievously and saw him lost in his thoughts.

She stood on her toes and blew air in his ear and sucked his earlobe slowly, making him shudder. She smirked a little, seeing her effect on him. She kissed his nape and bit his skin over there. He hissed and glared at her. She smiled at him sheepishly and kissed him on the love bite she gave. He rolled his tongue and smiled inwardly, seeing her antics. She turned him around and placed her lips on his.

"Wow! My little bunny is becoming bolder day by day", Avi thought in his mind.

She bit his lower lip seeing him not responding to the kiss. He came out of his bunny land and pulled her close to him by the waist. Her hands made their way to his hair while one of his hands was cupping her face and the other one was caressing her waist. He was drawing patterns on her waist while she was caressing his hair. He picked her up in his arms without breaking the kiss, while she encircled her arms around his neck. He placed her on the bed while she pulled him close to her by the neck and joined their foreheads. He looked at her and those swollen lips of hers were inviting him to kiss them again. His eyes turned dark looking at her, and he slammed his lips on hers. Maya moaned in his mouth as he pushed his tongue inside her mouth and tangled it with hers. He pinned her hands, not letting her touch him. She bit his lower lip harshly, making him smirk. He left her hands. His hands were caressing her back while she was caressing his hair. He left her lips and moved down towards her neck. He untied the threads of her blouse and slid her blouse down over her shoulder. He went on dropping feathery kisses from her neck to her shoulder while she arched her neck, giving him more access.

He nuzzled his nose against her neck, inhaling her lavender perfume. After some time, he fell asleep in the same position. She chuckled, seeing him sleeping like a baby. She knew he hadn't slept properly last night. She tried to get up from his grip, but he hugged her tightly even in his sleep. She gave up and covered them with the comforter and slept hugging him.

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

Avi blinked his eyes and opened them slowly due to the continuous buzzing of his mobile. He felt some weight on him and saw Maya completely sleeping on him. He made her sleep properly on the bed and took her in his arms. He took his mobile and started checking his mail. He kissed her head in between and replied to some important mail. He was busy with his work when he felt her moving in her sleep.

Maya slowly opened her eyes and saw him doing something on his mobile. He looked so handsome with his reading glasses and messed-up hair. She was brought out of her drooling session when he clicked his fingers in front of her. "Done checking out your husband?" Avi asked, winking at her and with a smirk playing on his lips. Her face was flushed listening to him. She got up from the bed but again landed on his chest as he pulled her.

"Where do you think you are going?" He asked, raising his eyebrow and caressing her waist.

"Down," she said, nervously playing with his chain.

"Hmm", he said, nuzzling his face against her neck.

They were brought out of their dream land by the loud ringtone of Maya's mobile phone. Before Maya could answer the call, Avi snatched the mobile from her and stood up on the bed, raising his hand. She also stood on the bed trying to reach his hand but couldn't due to their height difference. She pouted at him and jumped on the bed trying to reach his hand, but she stepped on her already messed-up saree and fell on the bed. She glared at him and got down off the bed, setting her saree and blouse properly. She stood in front of the mirror and cursed him, seeing the art work given by Avi on her neck and shoulders. He came and stood behind her, hugging her from the back. He tilted her neck and sucked on the love bites he gave her.

He turned her around, and he was about to kiss her, but this time his mobile rang, making him curse the caller. He answered the call without seeing the caller, and he was about to shout at the person. But his eyes twinkled, listening to the other person. He mumbled "okay" and cut the call.

"Who is that?" Maya asked him.

"Umm, I'll tell you later, but first you go and get ready. We have to go somewhere", he said, trying to control his excitement.

"Where?" Maya asked him.

"I'll tell you later, but now go and get changed." Saying that, he pushed her into the washroom.

She came out of the closet after freshening up and changing her attire. She saw Avi sitting on the bed. She went near him and asked, "Shall we go?" He nodded his head, and both of them moved out after informing the family. He dragged Arjun with them and blind-folded Arjun and Maya.

"Where the hell are you taking us?" Arjun asked for the nth time during the ride.

"Will you sit silently, or should I shut your mouth by putting a tape on it?" Avi said, with irritation.

Arjun shook his head and placed his finger on his lips like a kid. Maya was feeling something in her heart, but she did not understand what it was. She sighed and leaned her head against the window.

Avi stopped in front of a huge building. He parked the car and told them to sit in the car only. He called someone and waited for him to come. Surya came rushing up to them and opened the car door. Maya clutched his hand and mumbled, "Surya." Avi held Arjun's hand and the four of them moved to the private ward of the hospital.

By the smell, Arjun and Maya understood that they were in a hospital. But they didn't speak a word. They stopped and stood in front of a room. Surya took a deep breath and opened the door. Now they are standing inside the room. Avi opened Arjun's blindfold and told him to keep quiet.

Arjun slowly opened his eyes and blinked his eyes to adjust to the light of the room. He saw Aashi sitting in front of them with a huge smile on her face. His smile grew wide upon seeing her, and he was about to shout, but Avi stomped on his feet. He pouted at them and hugged Aashi and kissed her forehead. True, they might have fought every time but for him she is no less than Maya and Arpita. A lone tear escaped his eyes. She erased his tear and streched his lips telling him to smile. She stood with the support of Arjun and Surya and stood in front of Maya. She hugged Maya tightly, making Maya root in her place. It didn't take much time to realise that it was her Aashi. She immediately removed her blindfold and kissed Aashi's whole face while Aashi giggled like a kid.

After some time, Aashi was sitting on the bed listening to Maya. Her grandparents were talking with Arjun, Surya, and Avi, and they looked so happy.

"When did she wake up, Dadu?" Arjun asked Raj.

"A week ago, Anitha said to not inform anyone as they needed to keep her under observation. That's why we didn't inform anyone. Even Suhaas doesn't know it as he went to London for a meeting. Doctors performed all the tests and said that her internal wounds healed completely. She had difficulty speaking at the start, but now she is a little better. They said that she needs to attend physio sessions," said Raj.

Arjun nodded his head positively.

Aashi noticed the vermilion in Maya's hair line and called her, "Maya?"

"Haa", Maya said, looking at Aashi. Her face is glowing like a moon, and that smile is not leaving her face.

Seeing Maya smiling wholeheartedly, Avi's and Arjun's hearts filled with joy and a smile automatically formed on their lips.

"Did you get married?" Aashi asked Maya.

Maya blushed a little and nodded her head shyly.

Aashi laughed, looking at her, and asked her, "Who is that lucky person who married my boyfriend?"

"Of course, she got married to the love of her life", Arjun said, grinning.

Aashi squealed listening to him and asked Maya, "Really?"

Maya nodded her head. Aashi hugged her tightly, and asked her to show her marriage photos.

"You rest now, and I'll bring them tomorrow," Maya said.

"Don't you have at least some on your mobile?" Aashi asked her, pouting like a kid.

"Here, see them", Avi said, handing his mobile to Aashi.

She immediately snatched his mobile from him and got busy seeing Avi and Maya's marriage photos.

"That's from my pellikuturu ceremony", said Maya.

"This is after Managalasnanam. Those were my grandma's wedding saree and jewelry. Arpita Akka and Sravya gifted that saree to me after reviving it."

"This was on mehendi ceremony"

"And that's me as a bride in my madhuparkam saree."

Maya explained each event to Aashi while looking at the photos.

"You look so beautiful as a bride", Aashi

said, caressing Maya's pic. Maya's eyes glistened with tears.

Suddenly, she asked them a question to which everyone's face paled.

To be continued...

Hello guys!

So, Aashi is back.

Do you want to the flashback moments of the gang (Maya, Aashi, Surya and pranav)?

Anyways, stay tuned.

Keep smiling and take care.