"Thank you.", I smiled and took the cone from the lady. "Jiya, could you please pay her?", I asked and Jiya nodded before diving her hand in her tote bag. I turned to my right side and looked down with a smile only to have it vanished the second I didn't saw my son close to me.

"Reyansh?", I called out as I glanced around.

"Rey- Reyansh?", My throat ran dry and heart raced in fear as potential scary assumptions intruded my mind.

"What happened? Where is he?", Jiya came beside me. I couldn't answer her.

"Reyansh?", I shouted and started looking around more frantically.

"Any problem, Ma'am?", I heard someone ask but no answer came out. I was panicking and couldn't fathom my surroundings.

"We can't find our kid. He's this short. And he's four years old.", Jiya answered on my behalf.

"Okay, we can make an announcement.", The person replied. I frantically nodded.

"Yes. Please. He's so little. And he's sick. He'll get tired immediately. And he-he-"

"Are you looking for a kid?", I heard a female voice and saw a girl walking out of her group towards us. I nodded. My body was shaking miserably, I even found it difficult to see properly because of my fogged vision.

"Yes!", Jiya came front.

"Is he wearing blue and-"

"White shirt!"

"Right! He got down on first floor. He said he was going to his Daddy.", She replied and I immediately ran to elevator.

How can he!?

Is his father all that matters to him!?

I'm here doing everything that I can to save him and he's going crazy for that bastard who never once thought about him and his mother!

How can he leave me like that!?

How can he forget his Mommy!? How can he do such irresponsible thing!?

The moment door to elevator opened, I stepped out and took a hurried glance around. I couldn't find him. I was practically running and bumping into people but I couldn't spot my small baby. Is he fine? Did he fell unconscious?

"Rivaah, the security said they'll ann-"

"Reyansh! Reyansh!", I screamed as tears poured out. People looked at me as if I'm crazy. They won't understand what the fear of losing your last hope to live fading feels like. No one can understand the pain of being alone. In that small fraction of second, I felt everything turning away from me. I felt like it will be more easy to end the pathetic excuse of my life rather than breathing for the sake of living lifeless. Death sounded more alluring than losing the only one that kept me breathing.

In the sea of people, I was alone. In the moving world, I was stopped. In the buzzing surrounding, I was pulled in silence.

He's not fine. He must be exhausted trying to find his daddy. What if he falls unconscious and someone steps on his little fingers? What if someone takes him away. What if he's afraid and lost. What if-

"Mommy!", My whole body felt alive. I looked up and gasped. He was smiling. He was smiling so huge that I've never seen him this much happier before. He was in his father's arms. Protected and safe. I laughed and cried at the same time. I was so happy to see him fine. As if my heart knew how to beat again.

Kabir strode to me. Among the crowd of people walking and doing their own business, I could just see those two heading towards me. I was still crying. When he was close enough, he reached out to me and pulled me in his embrace. Throwing my one arm around his neck and the other around my son, I pressed myself in the safe cocoon. I was scared. I was scared to my wits.

"Calm down, Dove.", He whispered and I froze. Realising what position we were in, I immediately pulled myself back. Wiping my tears with the back of my palm, I dried my wet hand by pressing it against my jeans.

"Come here, please?", I said to Reyansh as I raised my hands to take him.

He didn't leave his father, he just inclined front and wrapped his free arm around my neck. He pulled me closer and I sighed in content keeping my head on his small shoulder. I gently pulled back a little only to have a closer look at his face and he was grinning. His eyes had a kind of twinkle that never existed before. I smiled at him and kissed him all over his face. "Mommy was so scared. Please never do that again.", I whispered as I kissed at the corner of his mouth.

"I'm sorry, Mommy.", He whispered back gently laying his forehead against mine. I caressed his cheek before stepping back. He went to lay his head on his father's shoulder and as if on instinct Kabir immediately cradled him gently.

"Thank you.", I said as I looked at him.

"It's fine. He keeps calling me Daddy though.", He frowned, but there was adoration in his eyes.

"Uhm, yeah. He-He, actually-"

"Actually you look a lot like his father. Almost identical. So yeah, he mistook you.", I had almost forgotten that Jiya is here too. Thank God she saved me from this awkward explaination.

I briefly glanced at her and sent my gratitude. She nodded with an assuring blink of her eyes.

"Oh.", Kabir's demeanor completely changed. Gone was the easy smile and instead were a fuming pair of onyx eyes glaring at nothing particular.

"We should leave now. Reyansh come here.", I said as I moved forward to take him. He pressed himself more in Kabir's arms.

"Reyansh, we're getting late, darling. Please let's get going.", Jiya said sweetly.

"You found your son?", The guards came running towards us.

"Yeah I did. Thanks for your cooperation.", I smiled even though they were of no help.

"Please don't lose him.", One of them said and headed back to where they came from. To the ground floor.

"Reyansh.", I called out strictly. He flinched but made no attempt to move. "Reyansh, I'm gonna count to three-"

"Mommy, please.", He whimpered and I noticed his arms tightening around Kabir's neck. Kabir soothed his soft cries by caressing his back.

"Jiya, please take him.", I said, knowing very well that I won't be able to use my strength on him.

"Reyansh, come here.", She said as she took hold of his arm. He tried to swat her off.

"It's fine, Rivaah.", Kabir murmured. "If he doesn't want to-", he couldn't complete as Jiya snatched Reyansh away from him. For a second, I saw him flinch. Reyansh was crying hysterically. He kept kicking his legs continuously, yelling to be let go.

"Rey, baby, calm down.", Jiya cradled him in her arms. But he tried to push her away by hitting her on chest. She kept a firm hold on his back.

"Leave me! Daddy! Please!", He wailed loudly.

The moment Kabir tried to step front, I stopped him with my hand on his chest.

"You'll just make things worse."

You always have.

"Rivaah, I'll go down to get him some ice cream and probably distract him. If he stays here, he'll just demand to go back to him.", She said the last word nodding towards Kabir.

"Please do.", I whispered and soon my son's sobs were just a faint sound.

"I'm sorry for all that happened.", I said with an awkward shrug.

"I need to talk to you.", He said in a deep baritone that had me flinching back slightly. Grabbing my hand, he dragged me inside a random clothing shop.

"Kabir?", I questioned as he grabbed a dress and pulled me towards dressing room. He entered inside and pulled me along with him. Closing the door shut, he made me stand in front of him.

"What?", I asked shifting on my feet when he just stared at me. I wanted to get out from here. Back to my son.

"Is that the reason why you wanted to have sex with me?", He spat out in disgust.

"What do you mean?"

He took slow steps towards me and I let my feet drop back. This continued until I was against the mirror and he had me trapped. Placing both of his arms on my either sides, he leaned front and a snarl formed on his full lips.

"Because I look like your ex husband. Is that the reason why you want to sleep with me?", He demanded again. I wanted to roll my eyes.

You don't look my ex husband. You ARE my ex husband, you amnesiac!

"No.", I replied firmly after standing straight. My chest was almost touching him at this point.

"Do you still love him?", He asked as his voice dropped down to whisper. He was scared to hear my response.

"Don't worry, Kabir. I hate that man. I hate him so much that you won't ever be able to imagine. I hate the thought of him. I hate the sight of him. I hate the mention of his name. Feels like bugs are crawling all over my body. The feeling is that disgusting.", I snarled as I looked straight in his eyes.

"Why do you hate him so much?", Although he looked relieved, he was intrigued.

"He was a loser. No wait he's still a loser!", I said as I rolled my eyes. "He was always in his past. He was depressed, mentally sick and totally unhappy with his life. And he thought everyone around him deserves the same. God had blessed him with a beautiful family, but he was always busy in degrading himself and still trying to control everyone. He was always hungry for power and dominance. He was possessive, short tempered, and so fucking controlling. He was self destructive. He was a hell, that appeared as a heaven to me in first glance.", I said smiling mockingly at him, he who had always deserved to hear all this. And now that he's facing the mirror of his true self, he's unaware about it.

"He accused you of cheating?", He asked as his finger stroke my cheek. I wanted to shove his touch away. My eyes met his dark ones and they appeared sympathetic to me, filled with pity.

"He did.", I mumbled as I cleared my throat. The small space felt stuffy now.

"He was a jerk. An asshole. He was stupid and ignorant. But everything happens for a reason, Rivaah. It was your past. Let go of it. Try to move on. Don't be so bitter. You deserve so much better. Look around and try to find a life. It's so much more than we anticipate.", He said gently as his arms went around me for a hug. I silently scoffed. If not for my son, I would have never glanced back at you.

"Was he good looking?"

"Why do you ask?", I frowned.

"Reyansh looks like a baby prince straight out of fairy tale.", He chuckled as he pulled apart to look at me.

"So? He mostly looks like me.", I shrugged as I crossed my arms.

"Sorry to burst your bubble, Dove. But he definitely doesn't resemble you. Not at all.", I scoffed. Although I know it's true, but a mother can pretend.

"His father must be a handsome guy.", Kabir sighed.

The self appreciation!

"He was a douchebag!", I gritted out. "Still is!", I whispered as I took a discreet glance at him.

"Fine. You're so short tempered. Let's leave now.", He said and I was first to get out of that confined room.

"Do you guys want to join us? I'm here with my mum and siblings- oh fuck! I completely forgot about them!", He hissed to himself.

"Well, you better go to them now. I'll see you next time.", I said and turned to leave. He pulled me back by grabbing my wrist. I collided with his chest.

"When?"

"Soon...", I mumbled as I looked around, trying to avoid his piercing gaze.

"Soon when? I need a confirmed date or day. And not just for sex please. I would love to meet Reyansh again.", He said and his eyes softened at the mention of our son.

"I don't know. I'll call you when I'm free.", I said as I twisted my wrist to escape his grip.

"I'll be waiting.", He said before dropping my hand. I immediately turned and made my way to ground floor.

I quickly called Jiya to know where she and Reyansh is. She told me to come to the parking lot.

When I reached there, I saw my boy eating ice cream in the backseat. Heaving a sigh of relief, I smiled and headed towards them.

"Don't be happy. He's trying to finish it as quickly as possible because I promised to take him back once he finishes it.", She said with a dropped face. Breathing out tiredly, I just gestured her to get into the car.

"Mommy, are we leaving?", He asked as the car headed out of the premises.

"Yes."

"But she promised me that she'll take me back to daddy once I finish the ice cream! Just give me little more time. I'll finish it quickly, Mommy!", He pleaded as he tried to scoot front but was restrained by the safety belt.

"Daddy already left.", I said.

"No! You're lying! I didn't saw him coming out. Mommy, stop the car.", I decided to ignore him. Eventually, he threw the ice cream out and began crying loudly.

When we reached home, he was still crying. I tried to coax him, bribe him, pat him to sleep but nothing worked.

"Reyansh, please stop! It's not good for your health!", I begged as I tried to feed him something so that he can take his medicines.

It's almost past eight now and he still hasn't stopped crying. I'm afraid he'll deteriorate his health if this continues. He's already so weak.

"Reyansh!", I pulled him closer but he attempted to yank himself off. I noticed his body temperature was rising. "Reyansh, you're a good boy please stop crying.", I pleaded to him.

"Let go of me!", He screamed and began hyperventilating. I immediately left him.

"Call him.", I turned to the source of voice and found dad standing at the doorstep. His was face was contorted in a painful frown. "Call him.", He nodded.

I sniffled before grabbing my phone and heading out. My hands shook as I dialled his number. The phone rang but he didn't pick up. I tried again.

Please pick up! Please pick up!

"Hey, sorry I was in the shower-"

"Kabir, please come here. Please. I'll send you the address but please be here as soon as possible.", I said before disconnecting the call and quickly sending him the directions.

I stayed out but I was still able to hear Reyansh's soft cries.

As soon as the doorbell rang, I was on my feet heading towards door. When I opened the doors, I saw him equally restless and stressed.

"What happened? Why-", He stopped when he heard the painful and desperate cries. "Move.", He pushed me away before dashing inside.

The moment I saw him entering inside, the cries stop.

Dad came out and hugged me.

For next half hour, I was only able to hear multiple hiccups, whimpers and some broken breathy words.

_______