I shouldn't have said that. But how would I know that he doesn't know about his adoption? Of fuck it, Rivaah! Of course he doesn't. Why will his family tell him about it? His mother was hell bent on not letting him remember anything regarding past, then why would she tell him something like this!? I made a huge mistake. And I'm damn sure it is going to bite me back hard. I should have kept my mouth shut. But he aggravates me so much that it turns impossible.

I paced back and forth in room. Thanks Lord that Reyansh is already asleep. No doubt Kabir will ask his mother now. Because the great me had dumbly suggested him to do so. Now what!? He'll have breakdown. And no one's here to handle him.

I heard the door of adjacent bedroom slamming shut. He's going somewhere!? But where!? God damnit! What I'm supposed to do!?

I watched from the window, waiting for him to come out. When he did, I was afraid he'll get inside car and drove somewhere away. This place is full of hills and cliffs, I don't want him to drive in this state of mind. I heaved a relieved sigh when he collapsed on his knees. Although it was pretty dark outside, I could see his figure shaking violently. He was crying. Again. If he had cried, showed emotions so openly like this five years ago, I would have fallen so hard for this man than I already had. He was always emotionless. Never this soft and sensitive.

I slowly trudged to the end of the bed, patting Reyansh's shin to get him up. He stirred before slowly opening his eyes. "Let me sleep!", He groaned and I felt guilty for breaking his deep slumber.

"Your Daddy is crying, Rey.", I said in whisper and that got him up, sitting straight immediately.

"Why?", His droopy eyes struggled to stay open.

"Mommy said something bad.", I said looking down at the bedsheet. "Sleep with him tonight."

He sighed. Then shaking his head as if he's done dealing with our mess, got up from bed and headed out. I scurried to the window. He slowly approached his father and the rest was me trying to understand their conversation when I couldn't even hear a word. I breathed out in relief when Reyansh made him stand up and both of them walked back inside.

My phone rang, I glanced at the vibrating device ready to ignore it and go to sleep when the caller ID made me froze. Shit! Gulping down a clot of conflict and nervousness, I answered the call.

"How dare you, Rivaah!?", Mrs. Raichand bellowed.

"Anaya, calm down. You said you'll talk calmly with her!", I heard Mr. Raichand's strict voice.

"Just shut up, Vihaan!", She said to him. "And you!", She addressed me, my body reacted quickly and I stood straight. "What the hell is your problem with my son?", She snapped at me aggressively.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Raichand. The words kind of slipped.", I said gently.

"Slipped!? I spent five years to keep my child away from those horrible memories and you just came and trying to make him go through the same shit again!? How can you be so cruel!?", I wanted to say something in my defense, but she didn't let me speak a word. "I thought he'll heal there with you and Reyansh! But no! You're actually here for revenge aren't you? You're trying to punish my child? I understand what happened in the past was horrible! My son did made you suffer and it was absolutely wrong of him! But Rivaah, he's changed now! If you can't keep your mouth shut in front of my son, leave and never come back!", She literally screamed at me. "I'm done with him getting blamed every now and then! You're not only the victim here, Rivaah! I know how hard it was to get him out of that depression phase when we brought him home. He used to flinch at every foreign touch! He couldn't sleep well at night. I've seen my son eating sleeping pills in the crave of getting some sleep. I've seen him keeping distance from his siblings because he was afraid of turning like that bastard. My son doesn't deserve this! He deserves love, he deserves care, he deserves someone who could understand him. And I'm not forcing you to give him that. Because I know hard it is for you. But at least be civil with him. Stop hurting him. And if you can't do this, leave. Get out of my son's life. Nothing good has ever come to him since he married you anyways!", I disconnected the call having enough. I know it was disrespectful, but everything has a limit.

It slipped! For fucks sake I didn't mean to hurt him! I was angry and it's just slipped! And I tried to dismiss the topic away, but he was so adamant on knowing the truth.

I can't deal with this everyday. I know it was wrong of me to blow up without any reason. But he makes me angry. He makes me so fucking angry that I can't help it. I want to scream at him, hit him, shout all the things he did to me. I just want to take everything out on him. But him not remembering anything stops me and that angers me more. He needs to know what wrong he has done. He can't just cry like a pathetic child and cover himself under the veil of victim. He doesn't deserve pity.

I thought coming here will be good for Reyansh and this unborn child. But even if his presence sends me over the edge, how am I supposed to spend three years with him? This is impossible. I don't think this will work. Coming here was a mistake. A big mistake!

_

_

_

>Cont

"This is the worst someone can ever do to their own child.", Taila looked at us in disgust before she picked up Reyansh and left to kitchen.

I stood still on my place. Guilt and remorse multiplied by hundred. How can I do this to my own son? He's already dealing with his health and me behaving like this is not helping the situation. This decision was supposed to keep him happy and not cry. Clearly I made the worst decision of my life!

"I knew it!", Kabir looked at me with frown. "Coming here was a so damn wro-"

"Oh just shut up!", He shouted as he got up.

"Don't shout! He's already crying!", I hissed at him in low voice.

"Now you noticed? Bravo, the great Mommy!", He commented sarcastically.

"Shut up, Kabir! How dare you manipulated him? Are you out of your mind!?"

"And what you were going to do, was that right? Stop being so selfish, Rivaah!"

"I'm not selfish. I just want best for my son. And clearly he's not happy here-"

"He's not happy or you're not happy!?", He demanded stepping closer.

"Don't try to get physical! I'll charge you for manhandling!", I said with glare as I took a cautious step back.

"Do you even hear yourself!? We're five feet apart if you're slow to understand distance and calculations!", He snapped back.

"I'm good at maths, thank you very much! And look who's talking!? An amnesiac!", I chuckled at the irony.

"Stop bringing my condition in this! You're so childish!", He groaned rubbing his temples.

"Exactly! So let me and my child leave! Why can't you!?"

"Because asylum will happily take you but not my son because you've problems and not him!", He retorted at my face.

"How dare you!? You're the one mentally and physically unstable here!"

"Oh we can clearly see that!", He said looking up and down at me with a mocking smile.

"I'm so done with your shit! I'm leaving and that's-"

"Shut up!", A roaring voice stopped both of us. I gulped and turned around slowly.

Dad and Mr. Raichand looked livid.

Oh fuck!

I ducked my head down, to avoid my parents penetrating gaze. I suddenly felt like a child who was caught stealing cookies from jar.

"How do you guys even consider yourself as parents!? You both are so immature!", Mr. Raichand said in a very brittle and hard voice.

"I can understand him. He's new to fatherhood. But you Rivaah!? I didn't expect this from you!", Dad said sounding disappointed.

"What do you mean it is expected from my son? Your daughter can't stay quiet even for a second!", Mrs. Raichand jumped in the conversation. I saw Kabir face palming himself from the corner of my eyes.

"My daughter!?", I sighed as Ma was quick to shove her way inside the debate. "Your son ruined her whole life and she can't even speak her heart out!?"

"In front of your own child!? I'm sorry, Mrs. Verma, but that's completely unethical and low!", Mrs. Raichand scoffed.

"Look who's talking about ethics! Your son destroyed his sister's relationship! Where were the ethics that time, Mrs. Raichand!?", Ma smirked.

"That boy was never okay for my daughter. So I'm glad it's over!", Mrs. Raichand said shrugging her shoulders as if it's no big deal.

"You're just trying to cover your son's bad deed.", Ma chuckled.

"Stop!", Ahana whispered weakly. "Stop talking about my life as if it's some kind of joke! Stop using me in your fight!", She said shaking her head before walking out of the house. Pooja looked at me and I gestured her to follow her. She nodded before leaving.

"You two are more childish and immature than them.", Dad sighed shaking his head.

"We're here to solve their problems not increase them.", Mr. Raichand mumbled.

"Tell her to shut up then!", Ma pointed her finger at Mrs. Raichand.

"Do you see how this lady talks with me, Vihaan!?", Mrs. Raichand claimed.

"You started it."

"Exactly. I'm- What!?", She looked flabbergasted and kind of hurt.

"Exactly. So stop this nonsense.", Mr. Raichand warned her and she looked down at floor.

"Shall we sit down and talk. Like civilians?", Dad said looking around, his eyes stopping momentarily at everyone.

And so we sat down and talk.

"I hope you two understand what we're trying to say.", Mr. Raichand said.

"This is not about you or you, Kabir.", Dad said as he first looked at me and then at Kabir. "This is about him. I know it will be hard. But you're doing this for Reyansh. He needs both of you. I know you find it unfair to constantly make the sacrifices-", Dad placed his hand on mine gently. "And you find it hard to adjust with this new life.", He eyed Kabir. "But you're parents. And that's what every parent do. You've to make sacrifices, adjust with this new life and stay happy for your children. Conscious parenting is not about being perfect, it's about being aware. Aware of your child's needs, what he should learn, what he should know, how he should be cared, how he should be made feel loved. Tend to his needs not luxuries. Providing him with luxuries might distract him for some time, but he'll get back to you demanding for more. And that is not correct parenting. It is washing your responsibilities away. Avoid fighting before him. And treat each other with respect. Because he learns from you how to treat other people. I hope I'm clear?", We both nodded.

"What he said is absolutely right. I hope you don't treat it as a boring lecture and forget.", Mr. Raichand raised his both brows. We quickly shook our heads. "Remember that this is for him and not for you.", He added carefully, as if making us introduce with the fact that how important it is.

"And stop bringing his past everytime you fight.", Mrs. Raichand said, her gaze settled on her twiddling thumbs, avoiding our eyes.

"Mom, it's fine.", Kabir said in whisper as he was seated right next to her. She was like protective mama hen, keeping him around all the time since arrival. I had to stop myself from laughing.

"No. It's not. I know it hurts you. She needs to understand that.", She whispered back.

"Mom, I'm not a kid.", He said in hushed voice.

"She treats him as if he's still in nursery. No wonder he was so spoilt.", Ma shook her head and I glared at her to warn her. She just shrugged indifferently. Although her voice was low and she said it discreetly, but I don't want another fight to erupt now.

"I hope I'm not disturbing you?", We all turned towards the source of voice and saw Taila standing at the threshold of dining room, tray in her hands. I quickly got up and took it from her amid her resistance.

"How's he?", I asked in whisper.

"He's asleep. I hope everything is sorted?", She asked and I nodded.

"Thank you so much.", I smiled gratefully.

"It's fine.", She chuckled before leading back inside kitchen.

If it was some time before this recent conversation, I would have skipped Kabir's presence. But I know this isn't what's expected from us anymore. So I offered him coffee and he looked surprised before taking the cup from me.

After serving everyone, I grabbed myself a cup and sat down.

"Where's, Pooja?", Ma said noticing her absence.

"She's out with Ahana.", Ma nodded and Mrs. Raichand sat back relaxed after hearing that.

"Where's, Rey?", A chirpy voice said. Pooja had her hand enveloped with Ahana's and I smiled. She was always great at bonding with anyone quickly.

I smiled as she dragged Ahana inside along with her. "He's asleep. Ask Taila in which room he is. She's in kitchen.", I said and Pooja grinned wide before rushing towards kitchen, taking Ahana along with her.

"You two should talk. What we said won't be liable unless you two sort your differences out and make a decision mutually.", Mr. Raichand said.

"It's fine. We understand now. I-"

"I think we should talk.", Kabir said as he got up. I wanted to deny and say: you can't decide for us- but I know I should keep my anger in check around him.

Placing my empty cup on table, I stood up. After me, Mrs. Raichand too got up. We all frowned at her.

"Anaya, what are you doing?"

"I won't disturb them. I'll stay in distance.", She said defensively.

"You're not going anywhere. Sit down."

"But-"

"Sit down!", Mr. Raichand glared at her. She exhaled as she rolled her eyes and sat down with a huff. Ma snickered but covered it with a cough when dad nudged her elbow.

Kabir walked out in the backyard and I followed him.

"So-"

"What?"

"Let me complete.", He gritted out pinching the bridge of his nose.

"You should keep your temper in check.", I commented.

He sighed out deeply. "Okay.", He cleared his throat. "Let's start anew? And I'm not saying we should behave like a completely normal and cheerful family. I know we're not. But when it comes to Reyansh, our son, let's put our differences and fights aside. The way we behaved today was absolutely wrong and stupid. Try to understand me, as a human. Okay? He's all I got now. He's everything I have. Not that I don't consider my parents and siblings as a family anymore. But know that even if they love me and I love them to no extent, the distance that has been drawn between us after yesterday is hard to remove. Reyansh is mine. Sorry, he's our. And so, we, together, should work in making him healthy and keeping him happy. That's all I want for my son. I don't love you. And I don't want you if that's what you're scared about. Stay assured, that you're free to leave or free to get in relationship with anyone you want. But my son, I need him. I need him more than anything in this world. And same goes for this child too.", He said all at once before letting out a deep breath.

"Are you sure? You've no problem if I get into a relationship again?", I asked. I don't know why I asked such a stupid question. But it just popped up in my head and I blurted out.

"No.", He said without even wasting a second. "I promise you, I won't try to get into your personal life. As long as it doesn't affect Reyansh of course. You're free to date whoever you want. I did felt lust for you, and that must be because you were my wife before accident. But now I'm comfortable with the fact that I don't want you more than a mother to my children. If you fall in love, you're all free to start a new family. If you want, we can get a divorce.", He shrugged.

"Oh.", I said. "Okay then. I think it's settled. All for our son."

"Right. All for our son.", He agreed.

"You do little, I do little?", I asked.

"Exactly."

"This is adjustment.", I pointed out.

"Absolutely."

"After Reyansh is all fine, I'll go back to London?"

"You will. I'll personally drop you off.", He smiled.

"Okay. Then it's done. Let's not fight anymore. Let's just keep it professional between us."

"Okay. I'm fine with that.", He nodded forwarding his hand to me.

I frowned.

"C'mon. Don't be hesitant. Let's seal the deal.", He said and I slowly brought my hand up, he instantly grabbed it and shook it firmly.

"Deal."

_______