The paper filled with an attractive business deal was disinteresting, when so much was going on in his mind. Raghav couldn't describe how stupid he felt for not asking his sister directly about it.

Today, the boy was even discharged from the hospital. Not that Sakshi had all the time to watch the TV. Even if she did, she won't give a glance to local TV channels where the media had stick to Malhotras' case so stubbornly. But Raghav was still worried.

Delhi was a big place. The capital had such smart and bold population. People know and discuss things very smoothly. She could get to know about it indirectly. She really could. For her course, she had once told him that she was following the business newspapers.

This made him more worried, because now, she really would have been knowing about the crisis with Malhotras as they were affected from all sides. Financially, physically, emotionally and now, seeing Shrey Malhotra's guts to rescue himself from a rape case, mentally too.

A sudden pinch in his torso pulled him out from his thoughts. He sighed while feeling two arms snaking around his neck.

"Pihu," he groaned lowly, warning her that it was his reading time.

"Why didn't you ask her?"

Feeling her lips on his cheek, he sighed. He held her bangled wrists and shook his head. "I couldn't. She was in a hurry and now when she has already denied that she wasn't into these things. I couldn't spoil her spirit. What I could even have asked? Have you heard about that moron, Sakshi? To my own sister? No way."

He clenched his jaws while closing his eyes. His blood boiling at the thought of some guy playing his little sister's heart again.

"Hey! It's alright." Pihu murmured while staring far at the wall. "But it would have been satisfying if we somehow know if she knows."

Raghav shook his head in disagreement. "I don't want her to feel that we don't trust her. She is far away from home and it is the best time to make her feel safe and dedicated to her studies. I and Nakul had lectured her sternly over her ambitions. There is no guy worth her attention when she has a bright future ahead of her. I will beat those sh.ts who will dare look at he-"

Pihu couldn't help but smile in adoration. She pinched his cheek and giggled. "Oh my so thoughtful husband! You can only think about beating other boys. But have you seen your own?" She playfully glared at him.

Holding his face, she turned his head. Both of them watched as Riaan punched the toy tiger with his little fists, giving shrieks of high spirits.

Raghav smirked, "Oh! I am so proud."

Pihu gasped and hit his chest while he immediately, pulled her to him. Holding her waist, he moved his chair a little so she could walk around and sit on his lap. Pihu chuckled while shaking her head.

"You are going to spoil him. It is only Nihaar with whom he can play truly like a baby. When he is on his own, he likes beating these innocent toys." She pouted.

Raghav stared at her in amazement. A smile curved his lips when he noticed her cheeks reddening. It would usually happen whenever she is happy or feels shy from him.

"It's in the genes, baby. Rathores are possessive of their things. Even when our own people betray us, we pull them back to us through many means. No matter, beating or loving. What ours, remains ours." He kissed her on lips.

Watching her blushing, he hummed lazily. "About this little Nihaar. You must remember that Nakul was as bad as I was. Do not underestimate his son. Though, I won't deny my short-temper. He has always been the patient one."

She narrowed her eyes at him and held his hands on her waist. "Meera is quite impressive too. She knows how to deal with her baby even when she is working. She has already taught him enough. He is more charming. While you are still spoiling my poor baby."

Raghav grinned lazily. "I am going to spoil every kid of mine." He promised with a toothy smile. "There are so many to come and become my naughty-little brats."

Pihu gasped while blushed too when processed his words. She was about to glare at him when suddenly she observed him looking at her intensely. "Stop with that look, now. I know what you are thinking, Mr. Rathore?" She whispered slowly.

Glancing at Riaan who was now walking towards another ripped toy elephant, Raghav smiled back at her knowingly. "What's with my look? What I am thinking?" He murmured back.

"That you want to do something naughty with me. . ." She trailed off while slowly sliding away from his lap so they won't start the same subject again.

"Pihu," he held her wrist, staring at her with his dark eyes murmuring thousands of words.

Pihu couldn't help but feel herself getting conflicted again. When their son was born, Raghav had cried. He was sobbing all around in happiness, asking for many more like their little Riaan to God.

She thought that it was his spirit in emotions. But as time passed and their son grew, Raghav was keen on convincing her more. By asking to gynaecologist repeatedly, she settled him down that at least three years of gap was necessary.

Now, Riaan had turned three which showed her four years completing already. The more it seemed approachable for Raghav, the more he would give her those looks.

But Pihu had her whole future around her, a long life. They didn't have to rush in this subject of life. Handling Riaan was so tough when they both were working. It was hard for her to compromise only when she was just temporarily working as a teacher in a global school. How will they handle another one?

Even a single thought about it would make her tense but Raghav always seemed positive about it that she couldn't even deny and just hang him by saying, that they would talk about it soon.

"I love you, Pihu." He gave her a lopsided smile, signing her that four years were close to over and he was now waiting for her decision.

Still not able to say anything, she smiled back at him. Leaning to him, she kissed his lips softly.

"I have to go prepare the lunch," she whispered while moving back and giving him a blank look.

Shrugging innocently, her husband nodded. But she knew that he was still longing for this little happiness again. He won't force her but would give her those looks that would make her heart swell so much. Glancing at Riaan, she quietly walked out of the room.

While her mind was slowly filling with pictures of him playing with his little brother and a sister.

________

She couldn't believe her eyes. Even if she was believing it some seconds later, she couldn't digest the fact that he was there standing front of her. He had called her for two times. He had spoken her name while staring at her.

He still was staring and she was melting under his gaze.

"Sakshi."

Once again, and she was now close to fainting. Her eyes burned all of a sudden as hot tears started collecting in her eyes. She gasped.

A wide smile curved his lips as he himself looked surprised.

"Shrey," she choked out in disbelief.

This was the moment when Shrey got the push. He grinned while walking forward, making her gasp again. Reaching her, his tall figure towered her while he threw his arms around her, pulling her closer in a bear hug.

"Sakshi," he murmured on her shoulder. His heart beating faster than ever as he smelled her sweet fragrance embracing him. Her soft figure felt too sensitive in his hold.

While Sakshi was frozen. She was shocked to the core and couldn't describe how high she was flying when he was holding her to him. Only gasps escaped from her and she was stunned.

This was happening. Truly happening. Moments ago, she was trying push this hardest chapter of her life locked. Now, it was reopened with a bang.

"Shrey," her voice cracked as sanity returned her mind and she started moving her arms to hug him back. "Oh my God!"

Her whisper made him chuckle and pulling away. He looked so cheerful and alive. Her eyes roamed down his attire. She narrowed her eyes. How could he change his clothes so fast?

He was dressed up in own clothes. She swallowed when her eyes finally reached his and he sighed in contentment.

"I caught you." He breathed in relief.

Sakshi was puzzled. Her voice was lost and heart was beating erratically. Her legs were shaking and arms were still not leaving his. She gasped and slowly removed them only to make him laugh.

"Oh my God! Sakshi. It's you." He stared at her fully, capturing her in his mind.

"I saw you that night too," he slowly tried to form the conversation because she looked as if she wasn't able to recognize him. For once, even thought that she was not the girl who had wrote him the letter. "You are her. Aren't you?"

Sakshi gulped. Her eyes lowering as she realized why she had written them in the first place. This man standing in front of her was trying to give up his life. Did he even know how lively he looked now? What he was losing by swallowing those pills? She wouldn't have been able to see him again, ever. She wouldn't have been able to realize that her feelings were stronger than her will. She could have gotten insane without him.

Shrey's smile starting fading. "Sakshi?" He was now really afraid of his assumption. "You remember me. Right?" His voice clearly showing his desperation.

She looked up at him, making his lips part. Her bloodshot eyes, giving him a round of her pain. "I re-read it in the newspaper," she gulped.

His eyes turned blank. Sakshi shook her head. "I wa-was stunned. I couldn't believe you would do something like th-that." She cringed. "I was. . ."

A tear slid down her cheek, making Shrey realize the extent of his deeds. He opened his mouth to explain, to tell her that he was lost. He was fed up of this world's lies. He was tired of giving his reasons to save himself. He was burdened with meaningless accusations. He was stabbed with heart-wrenching frauds.

But he stayed silent. His eyes focusing on her beautiful face. Her lashes getting up wet from heavy tears. Her lips pouting and trembling for him.

For him.

Something in him twisted. A chord, a vein or something in his chest that people call heart. Since the day, he was admitted in the hospital, he got so many bouquets, so many wishes from his company who still wanted their jobs, so many relatives who had came to see him. But nothing seemed genuine than this.

Nothing affected him like this.

He stared at her while thinking how much she had grown in these years. Her face had shaped beautifully. Those dark eyes which reminded him of her brother, were bloodshot. He breathed heavily.

She was weeping in front of him.

His heart clenched as he stepped ahead. Hugging her again without any fear, feeling her shaking in his hold. As if this was the opened doors for her now, she let out a heart-wrenching sob.

"I thought, you di-died. I was so scared."

He rubbed her back while feeling her shaking in his hold. His own throat filled with emotions as he tried to not lose himself. Pulling away, he stared at her.

Her hands shook while she wiped her cheek, staring at him in extreme sorrow. "That was so stupid." She gulped, now feeling like an outsider and sticking to him when all she was a mere well-wisher to him.

A new hesitation embraced her and she looked away. Wiping her eyes, and taking long breaths. But suddenly she heard him laughing. Her breaths stopped when she caught him shaking his head in disbelief. All the familiar fear was surrounding her. He would insult her now.

Who she was to feel bad for him? Who she was to cry for him? He didn't have ask her to come and write sweet words for him. She bit her tongue while swallowing. Goosebumps risen when she caught a distant man glancing at her crying face.

"Sakshi." She looked back at him, confused now. All that smile was vanished and stayed there, was his sadness. He shrugged his shoulders while breathing slowly. "I was lost," he tried.

"So much happened and I was drained, completely." His nostrils flared as he nodded at her, making her believe in him. "Everything was gone. Everyone was gone. I was alone. So I tried to leave."

Sakshi shuddered. She widened her eyes in shock. His deep, manly voice held so much grief. Never had she wished to see him like this after so many years.

"But then, I read your words." He stared at her with an unknown expression on his face. "Thank you, Sakshi."

Not believing her ears, she breathed. She wanted to pinch herself but resisted.

"Thank you. Maybe, I stayed alive so I could read your words. Thank you." He looked away just as he felt his eyes filling. Immediately, letting out a nervous laugh, he sniffled.

"Will you give me your phone number?" He gulped while staring at her in hope. He glanced back at the cars. "My family might be here soon and I will have to go." He looked back at her.

"But I want to meet you again. Okay? It's been long. Isn't it?" He smiled.

Sakshi could feel her heart jumping up to her throat. Her mind wasn't working anymore. This guy had frozen her.

"We will meet sometime. Without tears," he chuckled. Scratching his head with his finger, he gave an awkward laugh. "Number?"

Sakshi jumped up. She gasped and nodded hurriedly. Looking around, she realized that her car door was opened. Leaning inside, she thought for reaching her bag when she realized that she had her phone in the pocket.

Smiling stupidly, she twitched her lips and stood straight. The numbers were exchanged immediately and she could feel a secret and sweet hope rising in her heart.

"You have gotten tall, Sakshi." He muttered while staring at her.

Her face reddened, she could feel ants running through her skin. She blinked, "Yeah, thanks."

Shrey smirked briefly, ending up giving her a genuine smile. Realizing it was the time to leave now as Rishabh would show up anytime, he sighed. Biting his lip, he raised his eyebrows in hope.

"We will meet. Okay?"

Sakshi nodded, smiled briefly. She saw him behaving awkward as if he was fighting himself from doing anything.

But then, he chuckled and wrapped his arms around her again. Patting her back gently, he pursed his lips.

"Thanks for being there," he murmured while pulling away, watching as again her eyes started glistening. "I am fine, now."

He patted his jacket's pocket, "Will message you if you do-don't mind?"

She nodded. "Okay," her voice sounded so low from the shock, she realized.

"Bye, Sakshi." He retreated while turning to the left, walking away towards the another part of the parking lot. For once, he even glanced back, fluttering her heart so hard.

She waved faintly.

In return, he gave her a wide smile that had finally left her melting there, from all the coldness that she was feeling from the shock. She was finally starting to believe it. It really happened.

Shrey happened.

______

Mihir glared at his cousin in disbelief. "I am putting so much efforts for you while you are here, waiting for Diwali."

He walked closer to him, observing him staring far at the sun that was setting. "I met her best friend. Aarush, he was laughing about how that professor got his back. He has promised him to help him by settling that Ronnie guy. Do you know, how positively that will influence both her and her best friend?"

When his cousin gave no response, Mihir grunted. This made his cousin turning around and sighing tiredly.

"So, what do I do? There will be much competitors when my girl is so irresistible."

Mihir rolled his eyes. "You will be left staring at her when she will fall either for that Ronnie or her best friend maybe."

He saw his cousin clenching his jaws. "Ronnie is out when her best friend has warned the professor. He will take care of it. If professor himself is that interested, he will take care of that best friend too."

Mihir stared at him in boredom. "What of that professor?"

He saw his cousin shrugging his shoulders.

"I will let him have her."

Mihir gasped. "How can you?" His eyes widened in fake desperation. "What if she falls for him?"

"If she won't, the professor will give her no scores."

Mihir stared at him in shock. He pushed his chest. "Well, that is very evil of you, Professor."

The cousin laughed while pushing Mihir's chest. "Not evil. It's called playing fair."

". . . and playing like that is not fair." Mihir responded.

"Everything is fair in love and war."

Mihir shook his head, "But everything is not easy in love with Rathores, Kabir."

Kabir walked forward while removing his spectacles, running fingers through his hair.

". . . I too do not play easy, little brother. Sakshi is one difficult girl." He turned around to smirk at Mihir who was awaiting his answer.

"But that is until we leave for Chandigarh. The game turns easy from there." He nodded. "There will be no playing then, only falling."

"Falling hard for Sakshi Singh Rathore."

Mihir flared his nostrils while walking away, feeling excited for his brother's next steps to get his girl. He chuckled to himself while raising his eyebrows, recalling his words.

Falling hard.

______

"What do you think?"

Please vote and comment.

____

I guess now, the real story has began. 😉