Author's pov:

Everyone returned to their respective homes by evening. Maya, Sravya and Arpita along with the twins are in Maya's room. Varsha and Vansh are playing with toys on the bed. Maya went to change, while Sravya was telling Arpita about Maya and Avi's office romance.

"You know, vadina. They are using their office table as bed. I'm sure one day they will definitely make out on it", Sravya said, giggling while Arpita chuckled listening to her.

"Amma what ish(is) make out?" Varsha asked her mother, looking at her innocently, making Arpita and Sravya look at her wide-eyed. Arpita pinched Sravya's shoulder hardly making her wince.

Sravya: Ouch! Why on the earth did you pinch me now? It's paining, you stupid lady.

Vansh: Amma, why ale you pincing(pinching) atta?

Varsha: Yesh, amma. Did she make any mistake? And you didn't answel(answer) my queston (question)?

Arpita glared Sravya to which she pouted.

Meanwhile, Maya came and sat on the bed after changing her dress. She wore a simple kurta paired with cotton trousers.

She saw Arpita glaring Sravya. Seeing that she asked Arpita, "Why are you glaring at her akka?"

"Varsha, your pinni made chocolates for you yesterday", Arpita said diverting the topic.

"Pinni(aunt/maasi)!" Varsha squealed and jumped into her arms making Maya laugh at her antics.

"Yes, my rakshasi(devil)", Maya said, holding Varsha securely.

"Pinni, my choci", Varsha said, battling her eyelashesand looking at her cutely. "I will ashk (ask) you a queschion (question). Will you answel (answer) me?"

"Acha! So, my little rakshasi (devil) wants her chocy", Maya asked her, to which Varsha nodded her head. "Hmm, then what will I get in return?" Maya said, rubbing her nose on Varsha's cute little button nose, making her giggle.

Listening to the word chocy, Vansh hopped on Maya's back. Arpita and Sravya laughed looking at them.

"Pinni, whele(where) is my helo(hero)?" Vansh asked Maya.

"He is with Arjun mama and your nanna", said Maya.

"Pinni, my chocy", Vansh asked, kissing her cheeks.

"Okay, I'll give them, but only after you both have your dinner. Okay!" Maya said, sternly.

Both the kids pouted and made a face listening to the word "dinner". They made a puppy face trying to melt Maya, but seeing her stern face they both nodded their head.

"Otay (okay)!" Said Vansh and Varsha.

"Good!" Said Maya.

Soon they both got busy in playing with toys.

"Girl, give me some comfortable clothes to wear. I can't handle this saree anymore," Sravya said, scrunching her nose.

Maya and Arpita chuckled, listening to her.

"Go and wear whatever you want," said Maya.

"Fine, don't blame me later for destroying your closet," Sravya said, flipping her hair.

"Idiot. Come with me." Maya said, shaking her head in disbelief.

Sravya laughed, looking at her. After checking Maya's whole wardrobe for half an hour, she chose a skirt and a shirt for her.

"Oh god! Finally! Who takes this much time to choose an outfit, idiot?" Maya said, huffing.

"Me. Now please get out of here. I've got to change," Sravya said, pushing Maya.

"Idiot." Saying that, she moved out of the closet.

(Sravya's attire)

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

"You look cute, atta," Vansh said, kissing Sravya's cheeks.

"Aww, thank you, baby. So, my dear aunties, what's the plan, I'm getting bored." Sravya said, pouting at them.

Arpita and Maya threw pillows on her face, making her wince.

"Ouch! You stupid aunties." Sravya said, glaring at them

"Hey! Who did you call aunty?"Arpita said pointing her finger at her.

"Exactly!" Maya said, placing her both on her hips.

"Sorry, aunties." Saying that, Sravya ran out of the room.

Maya ran behind her. Seeing Maya, Vansh and Varsha too ran behind her, making Arpita hit her forehead and run behind them.

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

Sravya was running with Maya and the twins behind her when she bumped into someone making both of them fall down. Sravya shut her eyes in fear. That person sneaked his hands around her petite waist, making her heart beat faster. She opened her eyes slowly and got lost in those dark brown eyes which she had always dreamed of.

Surya was coming in search of Maya and Sravya, when he saw Sravya running towards him. For a moment he got lost listening to her giggles while she was running. Before he could come out of his trance, Sravya bumped into him, making him fall down with him below her. He felt something in his heart by looking at her innocent face. He looked into her deep black eyes. There is something in her eyes that is attracting him, but he couldn't decipher it. Before he could read her eyes, she averted her gaze from him and looked away.

Maya went near them and cleared her throat. Listening to this, Sravya slowly got up and ran away from there. He too got up and looked at her running figure. He left the place and went to the garden where boys were there without speaking a word. Maya sighed, looking at them while Arpita was a silent spectator.

Maya turned around and saw Arpita looking at her with a questioning face. She assured her sister that she would tell her everything at the right time. Because she promised Sravya that she wouldn't tell about her love for Surya to anyone. Arpita nodded her head and left from there with the twins tagging her.

Maya opened Sravya's room and saw her crying silently hugging her knees close to her chest. Her heart pained looking at her like that. She locked the door and went and sat beside her. Sensing Maya's presence, Sravya hugged her tightly and broke down in her arms. Maya rubbed her back and broke the hug and wiped her tears and kissed her forehead.

Maya: What happened chinnu (Sravya's nickname)? Why are you crying like this? And what happened between you both? I saw you giving cold-shoulder to him.

Sravya composed herself and told,

I don't know Mayu, but whenever I see him it hurts here.

She said pointing at her heart. It hurts that he could never be mine. Sometimes I feel helpless and angry at myself. And about giving cold-shoulder to him. I'm just angry with him over something. So don't worry. It's just another silly fight. She said looking at the wall blankly.

Maya understood that there was something she was hiding, but she left it for the time being and nodded her head. She prayed in her mind for her best-friend and cousin's happiness. She thought to ask about the girl who Surya loved. But she thought it would hurt Sravya, so she left it.

Sravya: Mayu?

Maya: Haa. She said turning towards her.

Tell annayya(brother) everything before the situation slips out of your hands. Mama and atta are coming tomorrow. All these days you have avoided talking to them, and even Anna didn't notice because he was busy with the office work. And day after tomorrow pedananna(uncle/bade papa) threw a big party to celebrate the success of a deal, and it's also their 30th wedding anniversary on that day. And he is going to introduce you to all as you guys didn't have a reception. I don't think Chytra and Rajesh will sit silently. So all you have is tonight to tell him about Rajesh. I know anna trusts you enough but we can't blame the situation, right. So tell him before he gets to know everything from the third person and misinterpret the whole situation. I don't know about the past which made you aloof from all of us. Neither I will ask you about that. At least open your heart in front of Anna. Trust me, you will feel better when you tell him everything. You can't change your past but you can definitely change your future. So, the decision is in your hands, Mayu.

Saying that, she left the room wiping her tears. While Maya was lost in her thoughts. Yes, whatever Sravya told was right. She can't let them win this time. Her future is in her hands. If she fears about her trauma, those people will take advantage of that situation and make her life up and down. She will make everything right. With that determination, she left the room and moved down.