"Megha, you said Renuka came to live here after I left. Why didn't I see her till now?"

The smile on both of their faces drops and Ajay's body go stiff. They both remain quiet until finally Megha speaks -

"Pooja, even if I wanted to, it's not my place to tell you what exactly happened. But just know she has left, left forever from all our lives."

The number of questions in mind were increasing after every second and before I could voice another question Megha raised her palm to stop me.

"I know, Pooja, you have a hell lot of questions to ask, but me or Ajay wouldn't be the right person to answer it. I don't know if I'm asking too much from you. But talk to Arjun."

I nod my head and quietly sit there for a while staring at my palms which were lying on my lap.

"I....I have to go.", I pick up Esha in my arms and head out of the room. "Goodnight", I say closing the door behind us.

As I walk to the front door Arjun joins me out of nowhere.

"Walking or driving?", he asked me. It took around fifteen minutes to walk to the guesthouse.

I don't mind replying and continue walking. Arjun followed, close beside me.

Esha snuggled her head into the crook of my neck. The days events were catching up on my body making me tired. My usually fast and long strides turned into slow and small ones. My hands were going numb carrying Esha and I slowly trying to not wake her up, shifted her to my other shoulder.

A few more minutes passed in silence before I again shifted Esha onto my other shoulder. Feeling Arjun's eyes on me I turn my head to look at him and -

Shit!

I stumble on something and start falling. My hands automatically goes around Esha shielding her from the ground when a strong hand wraps around my waist, stopping me from falling face first.

All the tiredness I felt vanished into thin air while Arjun helped me to my feet. I closed my eyes and bit my lips, concentrating on my breathing, to calm down. I felt Arjun wrapping his hands around me, filling me with warmth, and kissing on top of my head.

After what felt like years my body relaxed and Arjun moved his hands to cup my face in both his hands. I realised that I was crying only when his thumbs wiped over my cheeks. He slowly pried of Esha from my hands, who was still in deep sleep, and settled her on his shoulder and with the other hand held me close to him.

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All of my friends were still waiting in the hall, when we reached the guesthouse. Ryan raised one of his brows at our entry to which I discreetly shook my head.

"Where's your room?", Arjun asked me quietly. I guide him and he lays Esha on the bed.

He then turned towards me and took my hands in his.

"Take rest. Ok?", to which I nod my head.

Kissing on my forehead, he closes the door behind him as he walks out.

I lay on my bed and hug Esha close to my chest. I could hear noises coming from outside but was too tired to think about anything.

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