Note: I know I have been MIA. That's what the last leg of college does to you though I still have six months to go till I graduate. Therefore the exams, the assignments, and the dissertation kept me on my toes. It takes you on a long work ride. So here's the chapter. Happy Reading !!!!

Prahladnagar, Ahmedabad

AK Group of Industries

Anupama started messaging her temples. The issues were never-ending. The words were ringing in her ears. She wondered whether it was him. She looked at the phone all lost when Devika walked to Anupama and asked her The silence scared Vikram and Devika. They looked at each other. , Vikram further asked in a soft voice. Anupama closed her eyes and took a deep breath. answered Anupama in a subdued voice. Devika forwarded the glass of water to her. spoke up Anuj. All of them exited the office premises. The ride home was excruciating for Anuj and Anupama. Both of them were lost in their thoughts.

It had been a harrowing day for Anuj. The second encounter with the Shah Couple made him realize why he had a strong feeling of detesting the duo. Somehow there was a strange discord yet it was Anuj's principles that made him play it fair. He is Anand Kapadia's son therefore he would do it subtly with minimal gestures as far as business was concerned. His thoughts went to Anupama. The moment he heard about the nightmares he had gone blank. He wondered about the strength that she possessed to deal with such a crucial health issue yet a part of him was relentlessly worried about her. Furthermore, her business acumen made him smile. She had a sharp eye for details and was quite observant. The family values that she possessed reminded him of his mother, Gayatri Kapadia, a devoted and family-oriented lady who also knew the art of drawing boundaries. GK and Vikram had been observing Anuj and therefore Vikram took the initiative. He was glad that they were in their respective cars.

Vikram kept his hand on Anuj's shoulder making him turn. Anuj removed his frames and laid his head back on the head restraint. He closed his eyes and answered,

Anupama had been caught in a whirlwind of thoughts. Ever since she had stepped out of that Household she had been detached as well as distant though she did keep her tabs on them through other people. The pieces of her heart were in opposite directions. One was showered with love and the other had been bereft of a mother's love. It pained her but she was helpless as it was Paritosh and Pakhi's choice. She respected their choices and would continue to do that. Sometimes it made her feel guilty. She came out of her reverie when Devika squeezed her shoulder as a gesture of comforting her. They reached her paradise that she found painstakingly.

Thaltej, Ahmedabad

Anuj and Vikram freshened up whereas GK went to have some rest. Anuj got dressed up in a plain white sweatshirt paired with denim whereas Vikram wore a black round-neck T- shirt paired with black denim. Anuj went to check on GK for the last time. He entered the room only to find GK preparing for his afternoon nap. GK looked at him and spoke in a stern voice, The tone made Anuj realize where this would go yet he nodded.Anuj inhaled sharply. GK looked on as Anuj twirled on the magnets. Anuj gave a faint smile and answered, Anuj took a pause and said,GK looked at Anuj who adjusted his glasses lest the tears are seen. He spoke,

Anuj looked on blankly at him. The question was quite confusing for Anuj yet he answered looking at the frame that was there on the white cabinet, Anuj's voice faltered in the end.

Anu folded his hands over his chest and further continued, Anuj removed his aviator-framed spectacles and brushed off the tear that fell down his eye. He turned towards GK and looked at him in the eye making eye contact,

GK counter questioned, Vikram who had come to call Anuj stayed rooted on the spot as he heard the story of his best friend. He swallowed the lump that was forming in his throat. Anuj heaved a sigh and even before he could answer, Vikram entered the room and spoke, He turned towards Anuj and spoke, he trailed off. Anuj intervened, and answered,Anuj exhaled sharply and spoke, The tone gave away the message loud and clear. Vikram looked at the retreating figure when GK spoke in an affectionate tone,

The statement made Anuj stop at the threshold of the room. He shook his head negatively, heaved a sigh, and walked out of the room. Vikram and GK looked at him as he walked away. Vikram made his way to the washroom and splashed the cold water over his face to control his conflicting emotions. He inhaled a deep breath and walked out of the room a few seconds later. GK looked at the boys. Both of them were afflicted. He looked up at the sky and prayed. He said to himself,

Satellite, Ahmedabad

Anupama rushed out of the car and made her way to the corridor of the eighth floor. She took long steps towards her house. Her Ashiyana. Devika followed her in tow. Kinjal sat on the coffee-tan leather sofa unaware of the surroundings. Devika and Anupama looked at each other perplexed. Anupama took slow steady steps and sat down beside Kinjal wordlessly whereas Devika went on to check on Samar who seemed to catch a wink of sleep. Devika ruffled his hair gently and soon changed into comfortable clothes. She wore a lemon-yellow Kurti paired with cream ankle-length skinny jeans.

Anupama held Kinjal's hands and spoke in a gentle voice, The warm touch brought some solace to Kinjal and she hugged Anupama as a reflex. The silence was soothing. Devika passed the glass of water to her when the bell rang. She opened the door and there entered Anuj and Vikram. The duo settled themselves on the couch. Anupama turned and gave them a small nod whereas Devika made her way to the kitchen to prepare some piping hot tea. A moment later Anuj excused himself as he had a call to attend.

Anupama separated herself from Kinjal and cupped her face and asked once again, Kinjal answered in a feeble voice, when she spotted Vikram, who passed her a small smile. Her eyes traveled to the unknown stranger and in an instant, she asked, Anuj was taken by surprise nevertheless, he answered, ,nodding his head in approval. Anupama looked at her in confusion. Kinjal sensed the bafflement and thus she answered, The statement made Anuj and Vikram chuckle.

Kinjal exhaled sharply and further continued, Anupama sighed as she had an inkling about what was to come. Even before she could speak up, Kinjal finished her half-sentence, " The statement made Anupama numb whereas Devika who had entered with the tray looked at her. Devika was about to walk towards her when Paritosh entered the hallway. He had just come out of Samar's room. Anupama got up from the sofa and looked at her firstborn. Paritosh looked thinner and looked dashing in a black shirt with sleeves rolled up just in line with his elbow, along with a waistcoat paired with black chinos. , asked Anupama after a prolonged silence.

Paritosh looked at his mother. She looked resplendent and elegant in the wine-green short Kurti paired with black straight-legged pants and hair loosely braided. He so wanted to visit her and ask forgiveness but every time he made up his mind the rumors and gossip would affect him. It was the mind games that his father played. It pained him that his father refused to respect the woman who had given him a life. She nursed him in her womb for nine months. A tear rolled down his eye. His eyes fell on Anuj and Vikram. He exchanged pleasantries. A look at these two men and he felt a little uncomfortable. There was an unsettling feeling. He sighed and walked near Anupama.

The estranged relationship left Anuj surprised as he looked over at the scene.

Paritosh went ahead and hugged Anupama. She blessed him. Paritosh looked at her with longing in his eyes. Anupama exhaled sharply as and spoke,

The ringtone caught his ears and Paritosh sighed. There was a flicker of discomfort in his eyes as he looked at the caller ID. The sudden change in demeanor left Anupama surprised as her eyes fell on the call display. He kept the phone in his pocket and spoke, He took a look at his mother's petite figure for a moment and walked out. Kinjal hugged her and bid adieu to everyone.

Anupama excused herself as she needed a few moments with herself. The cold water provided her relief as she splashed it on her face. She freshened up and wore off white full sleeves short Kurti with white three-fourth straight pants. She made her way to the hallway a little later where she found the three friends awaiting her. She sat down on the light grey bench sofa that had hand rest on both sides. Devika asked, Anupama looked away as she sipped her tea. She met Paritosh after almost one and a half year. The shock was an understatement for Devika and Vikram. They looked at her. , queried Vikram as a reflex. Anupama turned towards them and spoke,

Ghatlodiya, Ahmedabad

Vanraj Shah was irked. Firstly the impatience was getting him on his nerves as there was zero response from AK Group of Industries and secondly, his calls went unanswered. Paritosh seemed to be too busy as he would keep to himself and rarely talked to him since the divorce. Off lately he would go early to work and return home late at night when everyone would be fast asleep. The cold behaviour left him alarmed as well as worried.

Satellite, Ahmedabad

An hour later the four friends were gorging on the snacks when Samar made his way to the hallway, rubbing his eyes. The disoriented hair, crumpled-up T-shirt, and joggers made him look cute. The scenario brought a full-blown smile to his face. He was surprised to find Anuj, Vikram, and Devika. He literally hugged Vikram tightly, who smiled and asked, Anuj chortled and wiped off the tear from the corner of his eye. answered Samar as he plopped down on the sofa and snuggled closer to Anuj. Anupama saw that and gave Samar a glare. The manners and etiquette did go on a vacation with this boy. answered Anuj, who noticed the exchange between the mother and son. Sam gave her a smug smile as she handed him over a mug of turmeric milk. Samar's eyes went wide as saucers as soon as he saw the mug. He made faces making all four friends stifle their laughter. A look from Vikram and Anu made him gulp down the milk in a go. Anuj was amused and spoke , as he patted Samar's back, who started coughing up.

Anupama looked at Samar and chided him, , to which Samar made a puppy face when he felt a vibration in his pocket. He fished out his phone and found a video call coming from an unknown number. He silenced it and said holding her hands gently, The phone rang again and Samar repeated the motion. The constant ringing of the phone made Samar annoyed, so he kept it away on the table and snuggled into Devika's lap. The medicines had exhausted him and messed up his schedule. He felt groggy. The phone rang again and so Devika spoke, He excused himself and got up with a start making him hold his head. Vikram supported him and escorted him to his room.

Soon all four friends were seated in the hallway when Vikram asked Anupama, Anupama heaved a sigh and answered, The statement made Devika, Vikram and Anuj look at her raising their eyebrows. Anupama chuckled and continued,Devika interjected, Anu nodded her head in agreement. The moment Anuj heard her there was a tug in his heart.

Suddenly there was a loud thud and all of them rushed to the source of the noise. It was Samar's room. They were about to step into the room when the communication made Anupama rooted to her spot. The divulgence was heartwrenching and riveting. It brought tears to Vikram, Anuj, and Devika's eyes. There was a lump in her throat and she had a blank and numb expression on her face. She felt the ground slip beneath her feet. Anupama absentmindedly walked towards her room. Anuj gained his composure and spoke in a low voice, Both of them nodded and stepped into the room whereas Anuj rushed behind Anupama.