After Di and Jiju left we all went inside and sit down on the sofa,

"Kareena what will you like to have in dinner?", Asked Maa,

"Anything made by your hand", I said while smiling slightly,

"When will you leave?", Asked Paa,

I have still not informed them that from now on I am going to stay with them,

"Umm! Paa wo Rahul have gone to New York for some business, so, I am thinking, c..can I s..stay here un..until he comes back?", I said hesitantly,

"Really beta?", Asked Maa excitedly,

I nodded my head while smiling sheepishly,

"I can't say how happy I am, Kailash God is so great, he took our one daughter away from us but send another one to stay with us", said Maa while Paa nodded his head agreeing with her,

I looked at them, they were so happy, after knowing, that I will be staying with them, for few days, I can increase their happiness by telling the whole truth that Rahul have permitted me to stay with my family permanently, but I don't know why something inside me is stopping me to do that,

I heard my phone beeped once, as if someone have send me a text, it might be Rahul's text, I excitedly looked at my mobile screen,

'you have one new message from Raj jiju'

I became sad, it's not Rahul's message, but why Jiju is sending me message, I unlocked my cellphone and opened the message,

'Rahul Mittal ( NY )

9********7'

My eyes widened with happiness, Rahul's New York contact number,

"What happened Di, you expression looks like you have won a ", said Karan,

I instantly lift my head and looked at him, he furrowed his eyebrow and looked at me questioningly,

I tried to suppress my excitement and nodded my head in denial,

"It's n..n.nothing", I said hesitantly,

"Nah! there is something, it's okay if you don't want to share with me", said Karan sadly,

"No Karan seriously, it's nothing like that", I tried to justify myself,

"It's okay Di, leave it", said Karan and I looked at him apologetically,

He smiled and removed his gaze from me and started doing something on his mobile,

I stood up and hurriedly went towards Di's room or I should say mine and Di's room, I sat down on the bed and unlocked my cellphone and smiled after watching Rahul's number,

This is my , I thought and shook my head while giggling slightly,

Should I call him?, Will he pick up my call?, Is he angry on me?, Urrrrr! Rahul, why you left me with a lot of unanswered questions?,

I remember Di's suggestion, she said that I should give him a chance, he deserve it, Am I letting my past affect my future?, Am I ignoring Rahul's love and concern?,

I kept my phone aside and lied down on the bed, I have to clear my mind before talking to him,

I closed my eyes and Rahul's voice echoed inside my mind,

'I know one day you will realise the purity of my feelings, I am not Ranga Kareena, I am Rahul your Rahul',

I opened my eyes and went towards my closet and took out the envelope, I opened his letter and read it again then again and again and again,

"Kareena beta dinner is ready", shouted Maa,

I stood up and kept the envelope safely inside the closet and went downstairs,

"Come beta", said Paa the moment he saw me coming,

Silently we all finished our dinner, Maa have made paneer butter masala with naan while Paa bought some gulab jamun from the market for desert,

After dinner we spend sometime in the living room, Paa asked me some random questions regarding my studies and my career plans,

"Being under Ranga's custody I was not allowed to go to school after standard eight, but still I didn't stopped my education and continue to study, I enrolled myself for a distance education course and completed my graduation,

And regarding career, I have never thought about it before but as now I am free, so I will definitely think something", I said,

"But after my marriage", said Karan,

I smiled and nodded my head,

After that we all started discussing about Karan's wedding,

"Soon we will have to find someone for Kareena also", said Maa,

"Why Maa, am I bothering you so much that you want to throw me out of this house soon", I said sadly,

"Hawww! no beta, but it's the bitter truth, one day you will also have to get married to someone", said Paa,

I nodded my head understandingly and he extended his hand gesturing me to come closer to him, I went towards him and he kept his arm around my shoulder,

"You are our princess beta, when that Ranga took you from us, we both tried so hard to find you, I can't explain, how tough it was for us to stop finding you", said Paa and started crying silently,

"I will always be thankful to Rahul, because of him we get to see you, spend some time with you, God bless him and I wish he gets whatever he want in his life", said Maa,

"Yes beta we both have lost all our hopes that in this life we will ever be able to meet you or see you", said Paa,

I didn't even realise when I also started crying with them,

"This is not fair, because of crying I will get dark circles under my eyes and I don't want to look bad on my own wedding", said Karan dramatically and we all started laughing,

"That's good now my face will glow", said Karan while touching his face and we started laughing even harder,

"You are such a kid, I can't believe you are getting married in just two weeks", said Maa and Karan smiled brightly while showing his teeth,

After spending some quality time with my family I came back to my room and lie down on the bed,

I tried to sleep but my mind filled with Rahul's thought, what he must be doing now?, Is he thinking about me?, Is he waiting for my call?, But he didn't gave me his number, or he intentionally didn't gave me his number because he wanted me to find out by my own, okay! so that's why he told me that he is going to New York, if he doesn't want me to contact him then he should not have informed me about his whereabouts, very smart Mr Mittal,

I came up with an idea which I will execute tomorrow first thing in the morning,

I am ready to take this risk named Rahul Mittal, I am prepared to give myself one more chance, everyone is praising him, Maa, Paa, Karuna Di, Raj jiju, each and everyone, even my instincts says that I should trust him, so let's give it a chance, I thought and sleep peacefully,

_______________________________________

I heard the irritating sound of my alarm and pressed my palm over my ears to block that sound, but all my trial went in vain and this irritating sound continues, I opened my eyes irritatedly and oh God!, I get scared by looking Raj, he is trying to suppress his laughter,

I smiled sheepishly and blushed while noticing Raj's position, he is hovering over me and kept both of his hands beside my each side for support,

"You are looking so cute, I woke up to switched off that alarm but thank God I didn't do that", said Raj and giggled,

I pout my lips irritatedly and pushed him slightly using my palms, he falls down beside me on the bed and burst out laughing loudly while crunching his stomach tightly,

I got up from the bed while he continued laughing madly, I stuck out my tounge on him and went inside the bathroom while tapping my foot angrily,

The moment I entered inside the washroom, I saw myself in the mirror and started blushing, then I finished my morning chorus and came out to grab my clothes,

I went towards my luggage and peeked inside it while thinking, what to wear, saree or suit?,

"When you are planning to arrange your clothes inside the closet?", Asked Raj,

I turned my head to look at him, I smiled confusedly and said,

"Not yet planned but I think I will arrange them today because from tomorrow I have to go to school", I said and he nodded his head,

I smiled and again peeked inside the luggage, I shuffle some of my clothes while thinking,

"You need any help?", Asked Raj while coming beside me,

"Ummm! I am confused?", I said,

"About what?", Asked Raj,

"What to wear, saree or suit?", I said,

Raj came forward and started shuffling my dresses, after few seconds of observing all my dresses he picked up a maroon colour kurti and gave it to me,

"Wear this one", said Raj,

I smiled and nodded my head,

"Okay", I said,

Thank God he didn't choose a saree because I don't want to wear a saree, from tomorrow I will have to wear saree anyway as I will have to go to school and it's my uniform, so today I want to relax,

After having my shower I came out of the washroom and saw that Raj is not there, I became sad because I wanted to show him my dress as it's his choice,

I went towards the dressing table and sit down on the chair, I combed my hair and removed all the tangs from my hair then I parted it from the middle,

I realised that I didn't took out my makeup kit from my suitcase, I stood up and went towards my luggage and took out my makeup kit and again came back to the dressing table,

I opened my kit and took out my moisturizer and applied some on my face and on my hands then I took out my compact powder and dabbed it on my cheeks, forehead, nose and on my chin, then I applied Kajal (khol) on my eyes, then some lip balm on my lips,

I saw Raj coming inside the room and gasped after watching his bare chest and lowered my head instantly, Raj is wearing nothing, only a towel is wrapped around his waist, which ended slightly above his knees,

"Are waah! You took bath so fast, I thought, you will also take a lot of time just like most of the girls, that's why I went to the guest room to have my shower", said Raj,

I stiffened on my place and bit my lower lip to suppress my blush and closed my eyes tightly, my heart started beating rapidly and my whole body started vibrating, trying to control my heart rate,

I heard the cracking sound of the wardrobe and after few seconds Raj said,

"Now you can breathe in relief, my dear sharmili wifey",

And I literally breathe in relief after hearing his voice, slowly I lifted my head and opened my right eye slightly and look at him through mirror, when I see him fully clothed I opened my another eye safely and dropped my shoulder in relief,

Oh God! I have never seen a man so exposed ever in my life, but I must say my husband have great physique, the moment my mind came up with that thought, I again started blushing,

"Thinking about the previous encounter wifey?", Said Raj,

I looked at him through the mirror and he started smirking, I pretend to look at him irritatedly and he started laughing and again I blushed, urrrrr! I don't know what is wrong with me, why I blush so much,

I ignore him and again peeked inside my makeup kit and took out my sindoor Dani ( box of vermilion), I opened the box and..., Raj snatched the box from my hand, when did he came so close to me, I didn't even realise,

"What are you doing Raj?", I asked,

"Shhhh!", He said and placed his finger above my lips,

I looked at him questioningly, he took a pinch of sindoor and came closer to me and lifted his hand, I closed my eyes and felt Raj putting sindoor between my parted hairs and then he kissed my forehead lightly,

"You are looking very beautiful", said Raj and I smiled while opening my eyes,

_______________________________________

I stretched my hands and opened my eyes with a smile on my face,

I stood up and went towards the washroom to freshen up,

After getting ready I went downstairs and see that Paa and Karan were talking with each other, I guess discussing about some business stuff,

The moment Paa saw me he said,

"Good morning princess",

"Good morning Paa",

They both continue with their business talks and I went towards the kitchen,

"Maa, what's in the breakfast?", I asked,

"Kheer, Puri and Aloo chana ki sabji", said Maa,

"Waoo! Yummy!", I reacted,

"You like it beta?", Asked Maa,

"Like, I love it", I said excitedly,

I helped her in preparing the remaining breakfast and then all four of us eat our breakfast together,

After eating my meal, I said,

"Maa, Paa I have to go to Rahul's apartment to bring some of my clothes", I said,

They both nodded their head and Karan said,

"Di I am going on that side, come I will drop you",

"Okay, give me two minutes", I said and rushed towards my room,

I picked up my cellphone and my hand bag, and went down,

"Let's go Karan", I said while coming down,

He stood and we both went out, after few minutes of driving, Karan dropped me and said,

"Di when you are done with your packing, give me a call, I will pick you",

I nodded my head and went inside or I should say I pretend to go inside, the moment Karan's car went out of sight, I came out and rushed towards a nearby shop which sells sim cards,

I bought a sim card from there but it is not registered in my name, I paid extra amount to that shopkeeper and he gave me a SIM registered with someone else's name, I know it's wrong but I guess everything is fair in love and war,

I came back to Rahul's apartment and packed some of me necessary stuff like makeup, clothes and etc, then I called Karan and informed him that I am done with my packing, he said that it will take half n hour for him to reach,

I went to Rahul's room and found it empty, all his stuffs are gone, I saw a photo frame which have Rahul's picture in it, I went towards it and lift the frame,

"Come back soon, I miss you", I said and a drop of tear rolled out of my eyes, I wiped out my cheeks and kept that frame inside my hand bag,

I heard the ringing sound of my phone and checked the caller ID, it's Karan calling, I think he reached,

I picked up his call,

"Di I am waiting in the car", said Karan,

I lifted my luggage and went out,

The whole day passed, I helped Maa in the kitchen and watched some daily soap drama with her, she helped me to arrange my clothes inside the wardrobe and now I am pacing back and forth in my room while debating with myself, should I call Rahul or not?, It's 10 PM in India which means the time of New York must be 12:30 PM,

I picked up my cellphone and inserted the new SIM card which I bought in the afternoon,

I restarted my mobile and while crossing my fingers 🤞 , I dialled Rahul's number,

It started ringing and my heart beat increased,

After few seconds of ringing someone picked up the call and said,

"Hello",

I froze after listening his masculine voice, it's Rahul, oh God! It's Rahul, my Rahul, what?, Did I just say my Rahul, I became shocked and cut the call without saying anything,

"Shit!", I cursed,

What he will think?, I am so stupid, why didn't I say anything?, Shit...shit...shit, wait! He will not be able to know that it's me who have called him, so it means I am safe, yeah! I danced mentally,

I lied down on the bed and hugged Rahul's photo frame tightly, and soon fall down in deep slumber,

_______________________________________

I heard the ringing sound of my cellphone and groaned, I opened my eyes and looked at the caller ID, it's an unknown number and it's an Indian number,

I composed myself and picked up the call,

"Hello", I said,

I waited for an answer but after few seconds the call get disconnected,

I didn't bother and kept my cellphone aside, whoever it was they will call again, I thought and again lied down on the bed,

I turned my head and looked at the wall clock, it shows 12 PM, I slept too much,

I don't have any work here in New York, I lied to Kareena that I have some business, I wanted to give her some space and I knew it if I would have been in India then it's quite impossible, because I can't stay away from her, that's why I came here, I don't know how long I will stay here in New York, it's been only one day and I miss her terribly,

_______________________________________