In the evening, Priya was sitting in the park on a bench, watching Bobby play in the dirt. There were other patrons with kids and pet animals playing or taking a walk. This always gave her a piece of mind to sit here and think. Just think of everything and nothing. Now, her thoughts were occupied with Vineet. It wasn't giving her any peace, thinking of the cruel man. Many questions were rising as she thought back to the unfateful day and the situation. And finally it ended up with, 'Why?'

She was engrossed in her thoughts and did not realize there was someone standing in front of her.

"Aunty."

The voice grabbed her attention and she lifted her face to find Abhay standing in front of her with Aisha in her arms. The little girl was beaming seeing her whereas Abhay was observing.

"Sir... Aisha... You both here?" She asked surprised, standing up. Aisha stretched her arms toward her and Priya took her, a strange comfort engulfing her. She looked back to Abhay and saw him staring at her.

"Sir," Priya waved her hand in front of him.

He cleared his throat, turning his gaze. "Just taking a walk. And what is this?" he asked, frowning.

"What, Sir?"

"Again," he said annoyed, "This is not the office to call me Sir. Call me Abhay."

She blinked in surprise. "How can I? I am your employee."

"Employee in office. Don't you think we crossed that limit long back," Abhay said.

She didn't meet his eye as she said, "I decided to be in my limits."

They were silent. Aisha looked in between Abhay and Priya and tapped a finger on her cheek. Just then, Bobby ran up to them excitedly, his tongue hanging out. Aisha wiggled out of Priya's arms and landed on her feet, petting Bobby.

Abhay smiled and kneeled in front of them. He caressed Bobby under his neck and head and Bobby liked him. He showed it by licking Abhay's face and making him laugh. Priya was mesmerized hearing his laugh and stared at him.

"Daddy," Aisha called cutely, "Can I go play with Bobby?"

"Fine," Abhay agreed instantly, "But do not go far."

"Okay," Aisha said happily and sprinted away with Bobby.

Abhay kept an eye on Aisha as other kids joined her to make friends with Bobby. Making sure she was alright, he turned to Priya. Still kneeling down in front of her, he said, "I don't want you to be in your limits, Priya."

"What?" She blinked her eyes constantly.

He nodded. He stood up and gestured to her to take a seat. Once she did, he too sat beside her, quite close much to her dismay.

"I don't want you to be closed off with me. Be like how you were at first with me. Fighting, laughing... Knocking some sense inside my head." Priya chuckled at his words. "Glad I made you laugh, Priya."

"What is this informal way of talking with me?" She raised an eyebrow at him, crossing her legs and keeping her chin on her palm.

"Then how do you speak with friends?" He asked, imitating her actions.

She was stuck. "Friend?"

He nodded. "Yes. Am I not?"

She smiled. But that did not reach her eyes. So, he was caring for her as a friend till now. She was a fool to think that he was interested in her.

"What is the meaning of that smile?" he asked curiously.

She shook her head as if it was nothing and shrugged her shoulders.

"Looks like I am not accepted as a friend yet," Abhay said, faking a sad expression, "No problem. I will start working on it."

"You had already started by your confession," Priya reminded.

"Then, next will be," Abhay tapped his fingers on his knees, looking around thoughtfully and stood up. Then, he kneeled in front of her, shocking her, and said, "I am both sorry and thank you."

"Sir... what are you doing?" She glanced around the park, to see a few patrons looking their way curiously. "Please stand up."

"I am sorry for all the shoutings and misunderstandings. If there is anyone I trust beside my family and friends, then it is you. Thank you for everything. For Aisha, for Anjali, for fighting with me when I am doing something wrong."

"Oh my god! Abhay," her mouth went to her mouth, and she glanced around, "Please stand up. Everyone is looking our way."

He smiled satisfied and resumed his seat. "Thank you for accepting me as your friend."

"When did I do?"

"Just now. You called me by my name."

Her eyes widened and she turned her head away smiling. "Damn!" she muttered.

"You are committed now for the lifetime. You can't go back now."

Priya rolled her eyes at his words. "What if I did?"

"Simple. I will chase you."

She poked her tongue out. "As if."

They were approached by Aisha and Bobby, with a boy and a lady. "Daddy! See, I made a friend," Aisha said excitedly, running to him and falling on his knees to hug him.

"Really?" he asked, eyeing the boy intimidatingly. The boy immediately hid behind his mother and peeked out to look at him. Seeing it, Priya nudged Abhay in his stomach and he grunted, rubbing the place.

"Hello, dear," Priya said lovingly, and the boy smiled shyly at her. Priya glanced at his mother and smiled, "Hi, I am Priya and he is Abhay."

The woman smiled, and extended her hand which Priya accepted. "I am Anupama," the woman said and nodded at Abhay. "He is my son, Karan."

Priya nodded. Her smile dropped when she heard the woman say, "You both have a lovely daughter."

Priya's mouth opened like a fish. She glanced at Abhay and saw his face blank as he stared at Anupama. "I-" she opened her mouth to deny it but was cut off by Anupama.

"I see you here sometimes. But never thought you have a daughter," Anupama said and laughed. "We have a group here. It is mostly the families who gets their kids here to play. Once in a while, we arrange programs and outings together for our kids to bond. We too socialize and bond over our kids. Are you interested? May I have your Whatsapp number? I will join you in the group."

Priya just stared at the woman in shock as she spoke. She again started to deny it when Abhay stood up, lifting Aisha in his arms.

"We'd love to join."

Priya snapped her head to him.

"Great. I'll immediately join you in the group," Anupama said, lifting her mobile and opening it. Before Priya could react, Abhay recited Priya's number which surprised her and also gave his number to add.

"This is awesome. I will stay in touch. Have a nice evening both of you," saying Anupama took her son and walked away.

Once she was out of ear shot, Priya punched his arm without thinking. He groaned, rubbing his arm and turned to her. Aisha laughed.

"Why did you do that?"

"What? You are the one who told me to be open-minded. Let Aisha join school so that she could bond with kids her own age."

"Why did you give her my number?"

"If I am in a meeting or something, you will be the point of contact as my assistant. It'll be easier for you to schedule my day," he said simply.

"Why didn't you deny that I am Aisha's mother?" she whisper-yelled.

"What is the point?"

Her mouth opened in confusion. "She is thinking that I am Aisha's mother."

"It doesn't matter."

"Of course, it matters."

"You are a well wisher of Aisha. As my friend and also assistant, you are going to be with her and attend a lot of meetings related to her. So what if they think you are Aisha's mother?"

In all the discussion, they didn't notice Aisha's expression changing to sadness. She stared at Priya longingly and leaned her head on Abhay's shoulder.

"You do not understand. I-"

"Let's not talk about this and spoil our evening," Abhay said, ending the discussion, "Are you ready to go?"

Priya was anxious. What logic was this? When she did not respond, Abhay looked down at Bobby and asked, "Are you ready to go home, Bobby?"

Bobby wagged his tail.

Abhay grinned. "Priya," he touched her shoulder, "Let's go." Without a word, she followed him outside, holding Bobby's collar. They both walked outside together, unaware of a pair of eyes watching them.

∞∞∞

He watched from behind the tinted windows of his car as Abhay and Priya, along with Aisha, climbed inside the car and drove away. His hands gripped the steering wheel and his lips tightened.

The other Sinha brother too has fallen in love. That too with this woman. Anyone with two eyes could say that Abhay was completely smitten by her.

This was not at all going well.

"What is with these Sinha brothers always falling for the wrong women," he muttered with a roll of his eyes.

Keeping his narrowed gaze on the zooming car, he fished out his mobile. Briefly moving his eyes over his contacts and finding the number that he had long forgotten to use, he once again shifted his gaze to the direction where they disappeared.

The line went on for a while until he heard a surprised and definitely hopeful voice, "Sir?"

His lips twitched slightly upwards. "You are on once again," he said briefly and hung up.

"Just wait for it. You are all gonna get it." Saying this aloud, he backed away from his hiding spot.

∞∞∞