Akshit opened his eyes to find Saumya's head resting on his shoulder. She looked at peace with her eyes closed and lips parted. She did not look the least bit troubled as she slept. Akshit worried that she might end up with a crick in the neck but he didn't have the heart to wake her up. She had been so tired yesterday, unable to get proper sleep.

Sometimes he wondered if she was really this quiet and closed off before the accident. Was she really so responsible or had she learnt it the hard way? He could sense that she wasn't what she looked like. Her true emotions had been buried deep, beyond the reach of anyone. Sometimes he felt so proud of her. A young girl who lost her family yet she stood like a rock to support everyone around her. He had met many patients, children to be more precise, who had lost their parents. How they were lost astray in this world but he was happy that Pia wasn't one of those. He could only fathom the struggles Saumya must have faced to help Pia and herself. Had she really helped herself? To him, it seemed that she had forgotten about her own self in the frenzy that her life had become.

Is she your family? What makes you feel so pained at her predicament? You should just accept that you love her.

Love?!- his mind snapped. How? When? How can you fall in love? Haven't you had enough experience to not do that again?

He could feel her stir in her sleep bringing his inner battle to an end. He didn't know what made him shut his eyes, pretending to be asleep.

He could feel her get up and wash her hands in the washroom. He had the urge to get up and admire her but he had a play to maintain. He sat as still as a statue as she exited the cabin.

She didn't know why but she felt her feet moving on their own accord towards Sanyukta's ward. She walked in the brightly lit hospital corridors which contrasted the moonlit sky outside. Dawn hovered above the horizon and there was minimal activity going on in this part of the hospital.

She reached the door to Sanyukta's room. It was a mystery how she felt Sanyukta would be awake. She opened the door to find her sitting on the bed, her back resting against a pillow.

"Congrats Di! She is such a cute baby." A bright smile adorned her tired face.

"Thanks Saumya. I don't think you have come solely to greet me."

"Why else would I come Di?" she asked trying to keep on a stoic face.

Sanyukta smiled knowingly and patted the bed. Saumya gratefully sat down. She had never expected to be awkward in front of the only sister she knew all her life.

"I know you're thinking about my idiotic brother, Saumya. I knew something was brewing the day I met you in the mall. See I know that you're nervous and you don't want to make the same mistake twice.

You know when I saw you that day after 12 long years, you had changed so much. You were no longer that sarcastic girl who never bothered about other's opinion. You were no longer that carefree girl who would sit and study, doing no work." Di chuckled loudly at that. "You remember that day when Surbhi's brother asked you out. What was your reply- 'I will if you can change that nose of yours. It always gets in other people's way."

Both the girls laughed at that. As the laughter died down, Sanyukta continued.

"We are always afraid of leaving our shell, Saumya. But how can you explore what's beyond unless you get out of it. Peeking out of it can only give you a glimpse of what lies ahead but not the whole. I know you've been through tough times, couch potato." Di smiled lovingly. "I don't think I should call you that. After all, you've grown such a lot. You're no longer a lazy ass. I'm really proud of you little sis. I know you're strong."

The two girls hugged each other as a lone tear escaped Saumya's eye.

"I'm not strong Di. I am a weakling. A person who is afraid of trusting people, accepting changes and above all someone who is afraid of letting go."

Tears now fell freely from her eyes as she stared at the calm face of her Di.

Patting her back, Sanyukta said softly, "You're strong Saumya. Don't ever doubt that. Strength doesn't mean not being weak. Strength means accepting your weaknesses and letting them go. I know you want to let go, Saumya. Trust me when I say this, you are strong and I know you will do what's right."

Giving her Di one last hug, Saumya exited the hospital room.

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The afternoon sun glared at all the earthlings. In this sweaty hot climate, Saumya sat relaxing on the couch. Esha had gone over to her friend's place, catching up on stuff. Pia sat beside Saumya. Having finished with lunch, Pia was playing excitedly on the tablet which Saumya had given her a year ago. She was quite strict about the amount of time Pia spent with the tablet.

"Time up, Pia." Her strict tone almost made Pia cry.

Saumya regretted being so stern but she had no choice. It was for Pia's good.

"Please, Princess, only 5 minutes."

Patting her head, Saumya said, "Okay but you will go sleep after that."

Nodding, Pia played for five more minutes before going to sleep.

As the telly provided background music to her thoughts, she stared at the wall before her.

You are strong and I know you will do what's right.

Do I really like Akshit? Am I really afraid of changes? Should I accept the changes?

She could feel his bulky shoulder under her head as she closed her eyes. It seemed quite surprising how his muscular shoulder felt as soft as a cotton ball.

Maybe I have really started liking him.

A blush crept at the thought of Akshit. She had never felt those tingles ever since the accident.

What are you doing to me, Akshit? I really like you.

She smiled genuinely after many years at the thought.

She got up and walked towards Pia's room. She really needed to spend time with her. Her vibrant smile, her sarcasm and her beautiful eyes just like her father. She missed all those.

As she entered Pia's room, she was shocked to see Pia sitting on the bed, her body shaking convulsively.

Saumya quickly went and sat beside her hugging her tightly. Her hand caressed Pia's hair lovingly. Pia kept on crying shakily for many minutes. Saumya could feel her heart tearing up as she stared at her crying figure. She could feel her head getting dizzy.

I promise Mom, I will always take care of Pia. I will never let her feel lonely, I promise.

She was a failure. Whatever had made her think that she was strong. She couldn't even keep her baby happy. She could feel guilt and sorrow seeping into her soul.

"What happened, Baby Bear?" she asked in a soft whisper.

Pia looked up at her with a tear-stained face. Her nose and eyes, a brilliant shade of red.

"Princess," she said in a shaky voice. "I saw Mummy and Papa. They were there celebrating my birthday. They... they even bought me a doll. The one I asked them to buy me. They were there... Princess please call them back..."

Her heart cried to see Pia in pain.

"Pia, you remember that they will never come back. You remember how tired they were. They wanted to take rest and God called them to come to Him. You know they cannot rest if you cry, right? You are my strong Baby Bear. I know you will not want them to be sad right?" Saumya's voice was a mere whisper, her voice hoarse as tears threatened to escape from her eyes.

She tightly hugged her baby and sang a lullaby to make her fall asleep.

She stared as Pia slept with a tear stained face.

"You can only be a failure. That's what you are, Saumya."

She ran towards her room unable to see her crying baby's sleeping form.

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Akshit stood in front of Mathur's Home. Just as he was about to ring the doorbell, he noticed the door ajar. He was not intending to intrude but he wasn't a mere acquaintance now.

As he walked inside he found the house eerily silent. He walked towards Saumya's room finding the popcorn bowl and the remote on the couch a bit odd.

What he saw made his breathing hitch.

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