FIGHT AGAINST DESTINY-PreRishFF Thrd2 Part 27 Pg-122 Updt. 24th May - Page 53

Originally posted by: Sunn_shine

Tadap tadap ke iss dil se aa nikalti rahi.

To lut gay haan lut gayeee 😒

Nautanki

Kabhi to drama kam kar

Originally posted by: Sunn_shine

Tadap tadap ke iss dil se aa nikalti rahi.

To lut gay haan lut gayeee 😒

Haan lutagye hum....🥺🥺🥺

Originally posted by: WaqtZaya

Pavitra Page 🤗

Jahanpanah 🤗

I missed you 🥺🤗

Originally posted by: chavi12345

A very happy wala birthday to you mom. Let her have a blessed year ahead.

Thank you Chaavi.. thanks a lot for your wishes.. lots a love 🤗

Originally posted by: MishtiNew

Haan lutagye hum....🥺🥺🥺

Barbaad ho gaye..

Chhan se jo toota koi sapnaaa.. 🥺

Abhi i'll be back with 20B. 3 times site crashed 🤔

Dusri mulaqaat mein

Baat hi baat mein

Unka yun ajnabi karna

Gazab ho gaya

Kal talak woh jo mere frame mein thhe

Rubaru unka aana

Gazab ho gaya

I don't know what to feel about this chapter

I get it Menaka has to be the chingari to Prerna's loovvveee persuasion but it hurts💔

RB being RB🤣 the dialogues parallel to their first encounter was spot on🤣

Is RB still in lowwee with Pre?because this chapter gave no indication and the thought of that breaks my heart 💔

Btw how much time has passed since the Bajajs actually left Kolkata?there are several time jumps and I forgot to keep track of 'em all

Link to 22

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/153163376

CHAPTER 23

He didn't let her finish her sentence and said "I know many people know you here and you have a new life. But you don't have to worry, our little deal won't affect any of it. Just consider it never happened" he smiled.

Prerna felt a weight in her chest and stood there like a statue and just whispered "Is kukki here..". This didn't go unheard by Rishabh.

"Kukki is here too and don't worry I will explain it to her, as soon as she wakes up" he said and walked away.

Prerna just saw his blurry figure moving away from her through her teary eyes. "Have I failed Mr. Bajaj so much, that he feels people knowing about our marriage will cause problems in my life"

Prerna came out of her thoughts as she felt a tug to her dupatta. She looked down and found a little kid from Basanti. Wiping her face, she came down and the kid said "Prernadi, aapko andar Ayeshadi bula rahi hai".

"Theek hai chalo" Prerna held her hand and went inside.

Prerna's eyes searched for him and Kukke inside the building but they were nowhere to be seen. She entered Bandana's office full of people and there she found Aditya sitting but Rishabh was not there too. Everyone was busy discussing evening preparations for the little night out that was planned for Basanti Kids. The foundation was celebrating the birth anniversary of Bandana's father, the person who founded the foundation.

Prerna was physically present in that room, but mentally she was somewhere else. Every minute spent in that room felt like ages, she wanted this to get over as soon as possible, so she could ask Aditya about Rishabh. She took a sigh of relief when everyone started to disperse from the crowded room.

"Aditya, I am glad you got your friend here. We are happy to have him with us on this special day" said Bandana.

"Bandana, it was a task to convince him. But he happened to have a meeting here so I dragged him" said Aditya.

"Pehle batate to we could have made better arrangements for the stay but abhi bas 1st floor pe jo rooms hain unhi mein.. I hope he and his daughter feel comfortable with the arrang..."

Prerna had heard enough, she quickly excused herself as soon as she heard from Bandana that he was staying at the 1st floor. She rushed to the floor above and checked every room and stopped as she saw an office help leaving a room, clearing some plates. She stopped him on his way down and confirmed if it was their room and took slow steps towards the door.

Door was open and she found him there feeding Kukki, wiping her face with a napkin.

"When can I go and play with the kids I saw downstairs?" kukki asked.

"Shaam ko abhi it's too hot to play. Other kids are also resting, so for now you stay with Papa, okay?"

"When can I meet Prerna Mamma?" kukki asked in her sweetest voice that felt like a song to Prerna's ears.

"Soon, first finish your food and then milk"

Kukki agreed and finished her last bite.

Prerna knocked on the door that grabbed their attention.

"Can I come in?" Said Prerna, still waiting at the door.

As soon as Kukki saw her she ran towards Prerna and hugged her. Rishabh got up from the chair and kept the empty plate on the table. He didn't make an attempt to stop his daughter because he knew Kukki had missed her a lot. And there was no way he could have avoided this meeting being under the same roof.

Kukki wrapped her arms around her legs in a tight grip. "I missed you so much, you never called? You forgot me Prerna M.." Kukki stopped.

Prerna got on her knees and wiped her daughter's tears. Rishabh stood aside with a smile looking at the two, meeting after a long time. Deep inside he was hurt and regretted the fact that he couldn't do enough to make his daughter's Prerna Mom stay with her.

"Stop, no tears. Aapki to bhaut yaad ayi, but aap apne contact number to dena bhool gaye to kaise contact karte. Batao. Waise bhi aap to London jane wale the na" said Prerna and looked at Rishabh, over Kukki's shoulder.

kukki hugged her back and said sorry for not giving her contact number. Kukki wiped her face clean and dragged Prerna inside the room and made her sit on the bed.

"Papa said aap yaha par ho, I was waiting for you. Aap itni der se kyu aye"

"Baby I got lost. Ab jake I found you. Now I won't lose you again. Prom…"

Before Prena could finish, Rishabh intervened and said "kukki you promised to finish your milk" He came down on his knees and made her finish the milk. Without looking at Prerna he said in a low voice "Please don't make promises you know you can't keep". Prerna was disheartened.

Kukki kissed him and went back to Prerna bringing a smile on her face.

"Prerna Mama.." Prerna felt her daughter infused her with new life as she heard Kukki call her Prerna Mamma. Words she has been dying to hear ever since they left Calcutta.

"I have a question" said Kukki.

"Ask" Prerna said, barely controlling her tears of joy.

"Papa said, this is your office, so I can't call you Prerna Mamma here. You know, even I go to papa's office now, nobody calls me Kukki there. Waha sab mujhe Ms. Bajaj kehte hain (she raised her head with a sense of pride). What should I call you?" Kukki looked at her with a pout.

Prerna looked at Rishabh and remembered when he said that he would speak with kukki, some time back when they met outside the premises. A lone tear fell off her eye, unnoticed by the two. She made Kukki sit on her lap and said "You can call me Prerna"

Kukki looked at her and whispered in her ear "But aap to Mamma ho na"

Prerna chuckled and spoke with a low voice into her ear "but usse bhi pehle to we were friends, right? So friend to name le sakte hain. I call you Kukki and you can call me Prerna. Does that work?"

Thinking for a few seconds Kukki reached Rishabh who sat on a chair near the balcony busy replying to his emails. Kukki whispered in his ear, "Papa, Mamma says I should call her Prerna. Can I call her that, tab to Mamma ko koi problem nahi hogi?" He smiled at her and shook his head. "Koi problem nahi hogi"

Aditya entered the room unannounced and Prerna quickly got off the bed. Kukki ran towards him and said pointing at Prerna "she my friend Prerna"

Aditya picked her up in his arms and said "well she is my friend too, same pinch"

"Guys what are you doing here. They have all started the activities downstairs. Kukki is going to enjoy most, I am sure" Aditya kissed her.

"I am expecting a call in the next 5 mins, so kukki and I will join you in awhile. You guys carry on" said Rishabh, typing on his phone.

"Papa, can I also go with Uncle and Prerna M..?" Kukki stopped as she realised she isn't supposed to call her Mamma. "Please"

Rishabh walked towards her and pinched her nose. "You wanna go?"

Kukki nodded with a pout.

"Well you know the deal, tax to dena padega" Kukki excitedly cupped his face in her little hands and showered him with kisses. "Go, but no masti. Adi take care of her, I'll be down in a while"

"Don't worry Mr. Bajaj, we will take very good care of her" said Prerna, taking Kukki in her arms.

Rishabh smiled and received the call he had been waiting for.

"Aap to pehle se tall ho gaye ho, and look at your hair it has grown so long.. who made your hair, you look so cute…" though Rishabh was on call, he could still hear Prerna's fading voice in the corridor as all three went downstairs.

"Hello, Sir.. are you there?" A voice on his phone brought him out of his thoughts.

"Yeah Mehra, I am here. Tell me.." He went out to the balcony while talking. He could see ground covered with green carpet and kids filled the entire space sitting in small groups. There was stationary, paints and other stuff around and all the kids were carefully listening to someone instructing them to create something out of that material that laid around. He saw kukki, Prerna and Aditya settle there with other kids. Rishabh waived at kukki when she looked up, still talking over the phone.

kukki also got her set of material and followed the instructions with Prerna and Aditya helping her. kukki looked up and asked her father to join, to which Rishabh responded with a head nod that he will, in a while.

After watching his daughter from top for about half an hour he reached down in his Navy Polo T-Shirt and Black tracks. Prerna looked at him surprised as he looked absolutely different from what she was used to seeing him as. With his greys gone, he didn't even look like he could have a daughter kukki's age. "What's his age though? I know nothing about the man I stayed with for 3 months under the same roof, but he knew what color I liked, that Ganpati is my friend even before he proposed that dea.. marriage" She thought.

She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't realise when he came and sat next to her as kukki had already dragged him to decorate the paper lamp that she created with Prerna. Their lamp decoration grabbed the attention of other kids too, who were with Aditya till now. They all gathered around kukki and followed Rishabh's instruction to decorate their lamps like kukki's.

Aditya couldn't believe none of the kids stayed back with him. He looked at his own lamp and said to himself "Aditya this actually is pathetic" He took another sheet of paper and some stuff and began creating something else.

Everyone turned their heads as they heard Aditya "So bacchas, who all are up for kite flying?" All the kids rushed to him, he looked at Rishabh with a triumphant look on his face, to which Rishabh just shrugged his shoulder.

"Papa can I go too, please?" Rishabh agreed and kukki joined Aditya for flying a kite.

Prerna and Rishabh sat not very far from each other. she looked at him, smiling at his daughter enjoying with everyone not far from his eyes. He gave her the freedom to explore, but he was always around like a guard within her reach.

Prerna gathered all her courage and finally spoke "kukki looks so happy"

"Hmmm. She enjoys with kids. Didn't have many friends when she couldn't spe.." he stopped remembering the time when his daughter struggled to communicate with people around. Not even het classmates understood her.

"I didn't know you are so good at painting. Unfortunately kids left to enjoy the kite flying with Aditya" said Prerna looking at the half painted lamps lying around.

Rishabh smiled and said "they all are coming back. At least most of them will, with in no time"

Prerna looked at him and then at the kids. "Are you sure? They all look happy.…"

"Wait and watch Ms. Sharma. You'll find the answer"

Prerna was intrigued by his confidence. She picked up a paint brush and began finishing a figure that Rishabh left mid way, as all kids rushed away with Aditya.

To her surprise, within minutes a few kids came back and picked up their creation where they left it. Soon more kids joined in and Prerna just shook her head.

"Bhaiyya aage kya karna hai?"

"Bhaiya!" Prerna smiled in her mind as she heard all the kids call him bhaiya. "He could very well be their father's age or elder. Basanti mein to chhoti age mein shaadi kar lete hain. How old is he anyway?" She thought.

Rishabh picked up his brush, by then kukki also came back and settled in her father's lap.

While the paints dried, everyone got busy with dinner. Prerna got plain daal rice specially made for Kukki, as most of the dishes served were spicy as per Basanti kids taste. Rishabh also had the same food. There were camps around for kids to sleep and give them a feel of camping, while a group was busy preparing the bonfire, as they all planned to play several games till midnight.

"Prerna I am in love with this Jhalmuri thing, it's hot and spicy.. simply yummm. It's like bhel puri but tastes different. Rishabh you should try" Aditya came and sat next to Kukke.

"No I am good. I am happy with dal rice. You enjoy" said Rishabh, feeding kukki.

"That was made for kukki. I am not sure even if it has any taste" kukki looked at Aditya with a scowl on her face.

"Sorry baby, no offence to you and your food but your dad has become boring. You know Prerna, he was always after the spiciest stuff when we were in Mumbai. He could start his day with the spiciest of bhelpuri, chaat you name it. Aur ab..." Prerna just smiled at how these two men behaved like teenagers. Who would say these two men acting like college goers were the leaders in their fields. Especially Rishabh because she could never imagine him like that, he was always uptight and reserved in Basu Badi, she thought.

Rishabh shook his head and stopped paying heed to what Aditya was saying.

"RB ek baar to try kar na please. For me one bite"

Rishabh stopped him and said "I'd love to but I can't. I am off spices, if you remember. And you hovering around me with this, ain't much of a help to my restraint.. soo.. stop torturing me like this". He took a spoonful of Jhalmuri and stuffed the content in Aditya's mouth.

"Ohhhh.. I am sooo sorry. Excitement mein I forgot. Yeah, you shouldn't. Sorry kukki, your food is amazing. I am getting more of jhalmuri"

Rishabh looked at his retreating figure and said "he is not just excited, he has lost it. This is what being around so many kids does to him"

Prerna heard him and smiled as her eyes followed Aditya who broke the long queue of kids to get his Jhalmuri first.

"Okay guys it's 9.45 already, let's gather around the pool at 10 to lift off her paper lamps we all created in the evening" kukki clapped with excitement, when the announcement was over.

Lights were dimmed and everyone gathered around the pool and lit the candles in their lamps. Soon the sky was lit with all the colorful lamps. The view mesmerised everyone, especially the kids as they clapped, jumped, hugged to express their excitement. Prerna could not take her eyes off the trio, more from the father-daughter. Her daughter's smile reflected on her face every time she stole a glance from the corner of the eyes, helping kids with their lamps.

After a while everyone gathered around the bonfire and Rishabh paced bare foot on the green grass in the garden while talking with Mehra over phone. Every now and then he looked at Kukki, who sat in Aditya's lap guessing the word from the opposition team headed by Bandana. Prerna supervised the team who served hot chocolate to kids and tea-coffee to adults.

Her gaze stopped at Rishabh who walked towards the garden away from the music and sounds. She went inside and came out with two mugs.

Rishabh sat on the swing away from everyone, enjoying being in the open, slowly moving the swing with his legs.

"Coffee?"

Rishabh opened his eyes as he heard a low voice from behind. He stopped swinging and looked at Prerna with a hesitating smile.

"Thanks"

He took his mug and looked down at his phone still swinging. Prerna stood there with her mug of tea. He looked at her standing and realised there was no other place to sit. He stopped and said "please"

Prerna walked from behind and sat on the extreme corner of the swing. She turned her face and looked at Rishabh who looked ahead sipping his coffee.

To break the long silence between them she asked "Is the coffee okay?"

Rishabh lost in his thoughts of future projects got startled hearing her voice. He looked at the coffee mug and said "Ohh..it's.. it's perfect. Thanks"

Prerna smiled weakly and rested back, failing to make him say anything that's more than a few words.

"So, you were in Mumbai?" Prerna almost spilled her tea as she heard his voice to her surprise. She sat straight and said "Yes, for two weeks. Aditya, gave me that opportunity"

"Hmm. That's good. It's good to see you working. You guys are doing a commendable job here at Acharyas" he said, but he won't look at her that didn't go very well with Prerna.

"Thank you" she said and it was silent again. Prerna was trying her best to somehow keep the conversation going. She didn't know why but she wanted to talk, know more.

"The school I visited in Mumbai, they knew about you" she said hoping for him to speak more.

"Hmm.. we used to visit quite often"

"Why did you stop?" Before she knew it, Prerna had blurted in excitement without waiting even for a second.

Rishabh looked at her and she shifted back trying not to give away her nervousness or excitement she had been feeling. "Because I was not in India" he said, and looked ahead.

"Ohhh, okay.. yeah right"

"Aap to London jane wale the, fir Mumbai kaise…?" Prerna was worried if she was on the verge of crossing her limits or she already crossed, yet she continued.

"Some business plans" he replied.

"So now you are not going back to London?" she eagerly waited for him to respond.

"I dunno, not before Kukki's next session starts. We'd be here for a few months, but eventually we'd be leaving"

Only if Rishabh looked at her, he could see the disappointment in her eyes.

kukki came to her father rubbing her heavy sleepy eyes. She lifted her hands for him to pick her up in his arms. kukki lied on his chest and he began to move the swing to put her to sleep.

Prerna picked up the mugs and went inside.

"Mr. Bajaj, kukki ko yaha leta dijiye, I got a throw. Yaha kafi mosquitoes hain"

Rishabh made her lie in the space between him and where Prerna sat and she covered her with the throw. kukki slept in a deep sleep, with her head in her father's lap and legs in Prerna's.

"She has grown so much from when I saw her last time"

"Kids grow.." he said, tapping Kukke's head.

"By the way Kukki aapko bhaut miss karti hai" he said, caressing her hair in his lap. "Aapki kafi drawings.."

Before he could finish he found a drawing sheet in front of his eyes that Prerna had pulled out of her little hand bag she had been carrying to keep her phone and some cash for the event.

Rishabh was surprised as he took it from her and said "I thought I lost it.. where did you find..?"

"I found it at the office floor near the lift. I had gone there to collect a file for Aditya" she said with a smile and looked at him.

"Aap ye rakh lijiye" she said.

"It's okay. You keep it, ye aapke liye hi thi, isliye aapko mili" he said returning the sheet to Prerna. She folded it and kept it inside her bag.

"Aapko kaise pata tha all kids will return back to painting when they all had gone with Aditya for the kite flying?" She asked.

"It's simple. So many kids and just one kite. Kids enjoy doing more than just seeing. Kukki gives me a hard time when it comes to keeping her engaged…. So experience and a bit of logic"

Prerna chuckled when she realised how basic the reason was. After caressing Kukki's feet in her lap for some time she asked.

"Is it okay if I come down to Mumbai to meet her sometime?" To Prerna's surprise the swing came to an abrupt halt.

"I don't mind you meeting Kukki if you end up facing each other like today. Neither do I have any problem if you came down to meet her. But do you think it's good for her? Like I said she still thinks about you. You and I both know you have your own family, your own child, I don't think it'd be fair to Kukki if you.."

Rishabh stopped midway because even in the low light, he could see her eyes welling up. Prerna found it really hard to control her tears when she heard about her child, a child she lost. A loss she never had a chance to mourn as nobody had a clue, existed. And now a person who knew, thought her child was able to make it to this world.

Prerna, looked away from him in an effort to hide her tears, while Rishabh wondered if something was wrong. He was about to ask her but he was interrupted by Aditya.

"You guys are here. I have been looking for you all inside" said Aditya, in a low voice as soon as he realised Kukki was sleeping.

Aditya looked at Prerna and sensed something was wrong. Prerna made an excuse that something got in her eyes and left the place. Rishabh looked back at her retreating figure and thought if his words hurt her. Aditya lifted Kukki in his arms and they all walked inside.

As Rishabh came inside, his eyes looked for Prerna to apologise but he didn't find her anywhere.

"I should have chosen the right words to tell Prerna that it was in everyone's favour. Maybe I should tell her tomorrow that whatever I said was in everyone's interest, especially Kukki and her. I am sure wo samjhengi"

Prerna inside the washroom vigorously splashed her eyes to somehow stop her tears. She had been holding the grief to herself for a long time but Rishabh's words opened her wounds again, hurting her, more than before. "There is no family, Mr. Bajaj. There is no child.. nothing.. I lost everything" supporting herself on the basin she cried her heart out.

NEXT MORNING (SUN)

9.30 AM

Rishabh and Kukk,i enjoyed breakfast in the room's balcony when a staff came and gave him a tiffin box and said "Sir ye aapke aur baby ke lie. Shayad aapko pasand aaye"

Rishabh looked at the box and it was marked as non spicy. Kukki excitedly looked at her dad while he opened the tight lid.

He smiled as he found jhalmuri inside. "Wow non spicy rice puff thing" Kukki picked up a spoon and stuffed her mouth.

She spoke with her mouthful "this is shooo yumm papa". Kukki took another spoonful and fed it to Rishabh.

Rishabh raised his brows in appreciation and said "this is actually good" Soon they had finished the whole thing.

"Ohh you finished everything" Aditya stood next to Kukki's chair looking at the empty tiffin. Prerna followed him too "I loved the non-spicy version that Prerna made, socha ek bite yahan milega but you guys.."

"Ms. Sharma made it?" asked Rishabh, looking at Prerna who stood behind Aditya.

"Haan she made it in front of me for the both of you. Isliye mujhe itna kam mila" Aditya looked at Kukki with a pout showing her his empty bowl.

Rishabh got up from his chair and said "Thank you Ms. Sharma, but there was no need for you to take so much trouble for us"

Rishabh noticed her smile vanishing off her face like last night and that's when he realised that he did it again.

Prerna forced a smile and said "You and your daughter are our guests. And being part of this organisation it's my responsibility. Agar aap ki jagah aur koi bhi hota to I'd have done the same thing" She picked up the tiffin and left.

Rishabh felt a pinch of pain when he heard her words. "Of course, hamari jagah koi aur bhi hota to bhi aap yahi karti"

"Mujhe fark bhi nahi padta aap kab ayenge… aap ye mat sochiye ki main aapke liye ek lawyer bhi hire karungi.." her words from past echoed inside his head and hit him back to reality. Rubbing his forehead, he smiled in his chair thinking "Why the hell did I think she did it for us"

"What? Why are you smiling?" asked Aditya.

"Nothing. Kukki and I must get ready. We have an afternoon flight" said Rishabh.

"Afternoon? Didn't we plan to leave tomorrow morning?" Aditya was surprised by the sudden change in plan.

"I know but Mehra called in the morning. I need to attend a meeting early in the morning tomorrow. Waise bhi yaha sab ho gaya hai. Kids will leave for their homes in a while. So you stay."

"Hmm.. theek hai. Work hai to I can't stop you. I am glad you could come" Aditya hugged him and said "Get ready, I'll drop you two to the airport"

Prerna came downstairs and she realised what she had done again. In her moment of anger and disappointment she again said something unpleasant topped with the worst choice of words and indifferent tone. "Why do I always do it with them?" She stood in a corner with her face covered.

"Didi, aapko office mein bulaya hai" a kid informed her and she walked away.

"Prerna, I think Ayesha and You should get going. It's 10.30 already, we promised their parents that kids will be home by lunch time. Food sab van mein hai. Get the kids and hop on. Then you all can take rest" said Bandana addressing both Ayesha and Prerna.

"Can I meet Aditya.. and…?"

"Wapas aake you can spend as much time as you want. Aditya told me they are leaving tomorrow morning. For now duty calls". Prerna was relieved.

Before she boarded the van, she saw Kukki, waiving at her from the balcony. Rishabh was behind her pacing still busy on his calls.

"For God's sake Mr. Bajaj it's a Sunday. People take a break. I must apologise when I am back" she thought and stepped on the van. As the engines came to life, she felt like she was again going too far from something that was hers. From the rear window she could still see Kukki waiving at the van that took her far from the sight.

6.30 PM

Prerna and Aditya sat on a bench outside the office building for tea.

"I thought they were leaving tomorrow morning, I didn't even get to say goodbye to them" said Prerna, feeling a void not finding Kukki and Rishabh around after she met them after so long.

"They were, but some meeting came up and the plan changed. Mujhe bhi subah pata chala" said Aditya.

"Does he ever take a break? I found him working all the time" she asked, trying not to look too concerned.

"He is a workoholic, I told you. Aaj se nahi, hamesha se hi"

"What about his health? Is he better now?"

"Getting there. Masi watches over him like a hawk" said Aditya, smiling.

"By the way did I tell you, Menaka is on board with AMRA, as a guest member not a full time.."

Prerna almost spilled her tea and said "WHY?" Aditya looked at her confused.

"I meant woww… but why is she with AMRA?" Prerna couldn't point at it but for some reason this idea didn't go down very well with her.

"The day you left, Menaka and I had a long confrontation. She wanted an opportunity to be around RB so she could talk, like you also suggested. And AMRA is the only way to get them under one roof"

"Hmmm.. what about Mr. Bajaj? Did he agree?" Prerna was curious to know how Rishabh reacted to Menaka's presence around him.

"Not really, we had a heated conversation but he gave in because of Ara. Also he has given me a free hand to run this organisation and he is a man of his words. So after a little protest he agreed. But he won't look at her. Menaka has a long way to go, before he even talks to her"

Prerna felt an unknown relief. She wasn't aware of it herself but somewhere deep inside she regretted suggesting Aditya.

"I really hope they mend their differences. RB finds a partner and Kukki gets a Mom. They deserve all the care and love in the world. A family is all he has wanted all his life. And he had once, but… Isliye I thought of helping Menaka, I hope it works this time" his phone buzzed. "See naam liya and she called. Hello Menaka.. I was talking to Prerna about you.." Aditya got up and excused himself leaving Prerna with her thoughts… Prerna could not decipher her feelings, but she was not comfortable for sure.

-------------

A WEEK LATER

It's been over a week since the Foundation Day Something had changed in her ever since she came back from Mumbai and whatever happened on the Foundation Day had made her restless. Kukki's image of waiving at her, won't leave her. Spending each and every moment with a new side of Rishabh made her want to know more about him. Without her knowledge or approval her mind was occupied with their thoughts. Everything that happened around, her mind would connect it back to them.

She did everything she was supposed to do, be at home or work but in the back of her brain, she was thinking about her life in the past 1 year. Anurag, Rishabh, Kukki, Aditya, Menaka everyone, created a havoc in her mind. She had never been this restless in her life, and nothing made sense to her. She was lost even when surrounded by her family or people at work.

Everytime she spoke to Aditya, she would come up with an excuse to talk about Rishabh and Kukki. Her discomfort with Menaka only increased over time. She had questions but no answers. She didn't know if she could speak to anyone.

SHARMA NIWAS, CALCUTTA

9.00 PM

Like any other day Prerna sat with all her family members, in the living room, lost in her own thoughts. Shivani came with the same Magazine that Prerna had read a couple of days back at her NGO's reading room. Shivani opened it to the page that had the article and said "Di aap ye article pado. Professors are teaching it as a case study to business students. Meri friend se liya ye maine" She gave the magazine to Prerna to read.

Prerna looked at the magazine and smiled remembering her long chat with Aditya. "I have read this Shivi. I feel it was a smart move, if you look at it from the company's perspective. I mean no one could guess till the end. Don't you think?" Prerna kept the magazine on the coffee table in front of her.

Shivani wasn't expecting Prerna to be so cool about it and she picked up the magazine again and said "aapne theek se pada bhi hai isme kya likha hai. They destroyed a whole new brand"

"I'd say they stopped the competition." Prerna smiled.

"Di aap ye kaise keh sakte ho? Do you even know who owns this company? I checked online, it's Mr. Bajaj. Don't you know kitne companies he has destroyed" said Shivani, her frustration was visible in her words.

"Take over.. he took over those companies not destroyed and last time I checked each of those companies is performing far better than before. There is a difference Shivi, I am myself a business studetnt so usi ke basis pe I am telling you" Prerna tapped on her sister's shoulder with a smile.

"Aapko kya ho gaya hai Priyudi. Aap us insaan ke side se bol rahi hai jisne Basu Publications ko bhi destroy karne ki koshish ki"

Prerna was not surprised with her sister's reaction, she knew she didn't very much like Mr. Bajaj and she had seen her snap like this earlier too.

"Shivi, but he didn't. Did you forget? I told you there was something personal going on there, jo mujhe bhi pata nahi hai. Mujhe bas itna pata hai ki mere kehne par unhone BP ke sare documents mujhe de diye the and he promised to never hurt Basus. He did keep his promise"

"Aur Anurag, uska business mein jo loss hua tha, wo?" Shivani questioned, while everyone quietly heard their conversation.

"Uska loss uski khud ki wajah se hua. Business down hua because he lost his focus unlike Mr. Bajaj. He didn't even let his sister take over. Aisa nahi hai ki Mr. Bajaj ke pass koi tensions nahi hai but he knows how to balance his personal and professional life" she recalled how he even got kukki to his office so he could focus on both.

"Aur shayad yahi wajah hai Bajaj Infragiant has multinational presence and at the top of the business and Basu Publication struggled even with its presence in just a few states in India. Anurag emotional hai, isliye wo cheeze alag nahi.."

Before Prerna could finish Shivani stood in front of her and spoke in a loud voice that startled almost everyone in that room. "Aap Anurag ko chhod ke Mr. Bajaj ki side le rahi hain Priyu Di really?"

"Shivi calm down, main kisi ki side nahi le rahi hu. Main sirf logical or factual baat keh rahi hu" said Prerna, in a calm voice as she didn't want another scene in the house.

"Shivani, tum kya ye bekaar ki behas karne mein lagi hui ho? Koi matlab hai ye sab baatein karne ka?" Veena intervened, as she could see things getting heated up between the two sisters.

"Bekaar ki baat? Ma aapne dekha kaise baat ki di ne Anurag ke baare mein. Ye bhool hai wo inse kitna…"

Prerna was barely holding her anger but hearing the same old things from her sister made her lose her control. She stood and said "kya bhool gai main haan? Ye ki ye ghar usi ke wajah se bacha? Ye ki wo mujhse pyaar karta tha? Ye ki meri aur uski shaadi hone wali hai? Yahi na Shivi.."

Shivani stood quietly trying to read her sister's eyes.

"Par Shivi is sab ke sath mujhe ye bhi yaad hai ki uske chale jaane ke baad kaise mujhe us ghar se shaadi ke kapdo mein hi ghar se bahar nikala gaya tha. Kakababu, Anupamji, Nividi, Tapur jin sabko maine apna mana kyuki wo Anurag ki family hai, koi bhi mere liye ek word bhi bol nahi paya jab Kaki.., Anurag's Mom blamed me for him being missing, they threw me out of that house. Kab us ghar se is ghar phonchi yaad bhi nahi hai mujhe Shivani"

Prerna turned and looked at her mom and sat in front of her holding her hands. "Pyaar itna karti thi ki ye bhool gai ki main ek beti bhi hu. Wo fish wali jewlery tak accept ki, Maa ko jail jate bhi dekha. Aaj sochti hu to sharm aati hai khud pe, ek kam padi likhi, basti mein rehne wali ladki mein zyada self respect aur himmat thi apne aur apni family ke liye stand lene ki" Prerna wiped off Veena's tears. "I am sorry Maa, aapko meri wajah se kya kuch nahi sehan karna pada"

"Par Anurag ne bhi to aapke liye kitna kuch sacrifice kiya di?" asked Shivani.

"Kya?" Said Prerna, still looking at her Mom. She got up and faced her sister and asked her again "kya sacrifice kiya? Bolo Shivani?" Shivani felt at loss for words.

"Aisa nahi hai ki main chahti thi ki wo koi sacrifice kare? But I was the one who lost my family, har din apna self respect khoya. Kaun thi Prerna Sharma ab se pehle? What was my identity? Anurag's friend, his girlfriend, his fiance? My entire life revolved around him. Meri life usse shuru hoke usi pe khatam ho jati thi Shivani, aur is sab ke baad bhi dekho kya hua? Kahi dikh raha hai Anurag ass pass? Bolo?"

Prerna dropped on the couch and tears rolled down her face. "Pata hai Maa kabhi kabhi ye khayal aata hi agar us din hamari shaadi ho jati aur Anurag uske baad kahi chala jata. Tab bhi aise hi mujhe us ghar se aise hi jane ko kaha jata aur main yaha ek wife ki tarah apne husband ka wait karti rehti. Aur waha kisi koi fark hi nahi padta. Anurag ka pyaar, uski Mom ki nafrat ke aage hamesha kam hi pad jata tha.." Prerna covered her face.

"Agar aisa hota to wo Kakima ko kabhi shaadi ke liye mana nahi pata.. Naveen Babu se tumhari shaadi nahi rokta, is ghar ko bachane ke liye us Komolika se shaadi nahi karta? Ye sab kuch mayne nahi rakhta aapke liye? Aap hi kehti thi na ki aapke liye Anurag ka pyaar hi kafi hai. Uska kya hua di?"

"Sab kuch mayne rakhta hai Shivi, itna ki Komolika se ladne Basu Badi phonch gai thi. Sabke samne hui insult ko bhi seh liya. Us sab ke baad bhi I never lost my trust on him, par usne kya kiya? Jab maine Mr. Bajaj se shaadi ki, uske trust ko tootne mein zara bhi time nahi laga. Yaha tak ki mujh par haath tak uthaya Zurich mein..but I never complained because I knew he was in pain. Aaj bhi police station ke chakkar laga rahi hu usey ek news ke liye"

"Ye sab hua hi Mr. Bajaj ki wajah se hai, agar wo beech mein na aye hote to aap dono khushi se…"

Prerna didn't let Shivani complete and stood in front of her. With her finger pointed at Shivani, she spoke in a firm voice, her eyes wide and red with anger "Maine kaha na Mr. Bajaj ko is sab mein mat laya karo.."

"Kyun na lau? Unhone hi to aapko blackmail.."

"Shivani…" Prerna's voice echoed in the house.

"Wo deal zaroor thi but blackmail nahi. Main khud waha gai thi, khud wo deal accept ki.. so you better stop calling it a blackmail"

"Kahungi baar baar kahungi, coz sach yahi hai. Mr. Bajaj kisi ke sath ache ho hi nahin sakte. Jo kisi ko barbaad karne ke pehle ek baar nahi sochta, aap uski side le rahi hain. Aapke sath jo Basu Badi mein hua wo Anurag ne nahi kiya Priyu di"

"Par hua to mere sath na Shivi aur suffer bhi meri family ne kiya. Aur maine kisi ko compare nahin kiya par ab tumne keh hi diya to ye bhi sun lo. Anu apni family se bhuat pyaar karta tha isliye kabhi kuch keh nahi paya but Mr. Bajaj, ne humesha mere liye stand liya, fir chahe samne Basus ho ya khud unki Masi ya Tanvi. Tum kuch nahi janti. Galti meri hi hai, main khud dekh pati to kuch batati."

"Par is baar maine sab kuch dekha. Mr. Bajaj ki wo side dekhi jo main khud bhi soch nahi sakti thi"

Veena looked at Prena with a questioning glance.

"Haan Maa. Maine Mr. Bajaj aur kukki ko dekha. Wo log Mumbai mein hai. Aap hi poochti thi na ki main kahi lost rehti hu, bas waha jo sab dekha usi ke baare mein sochti rehti thi. Main jis NGO ke sath kaam karne gai thi wo Aditya aur Mr. Bajaj ka venture hai. Mujhe khud ko bhi waha jake pata chala"

"Unse juda har insaan unse pyaar karta hai, unke sath rehna chahta hai. Maine unhe unki duniya mein dekha. It felt jaise yaha wale Mr. Bajaj aur waha ke Mr. Bajaj do alag alag log hain. Waha sab unki respect kaete hain aur yaha humne kya kiya? Respect to dur, unhe samajhne ki koshish tak nahi ki"

She turned to her Mom again and said "yaad hai Maa jab aap pehli baar Bajaj Mansion ayi thi, aur fir kukki ki birthday party. Wo aapse baat karne ki koshish kar rahe the but aapne sirf ignore kiya. Aur fir jab aake upar court case hua to wo kis haal mein waha aaye the" Veena nodded her head and looked down as she regretted her actions.

"Aur jab wo pehli baar hamare ghar aaye the aap sab se baat karne aur achanak shaadi karne ke liye mafi mangne, tab kya kia? Ham sab Anurag ke sath itna involve ho gaye ki ye bhi bhool gaye ki wo waha hain. Aur jab durga pooja mein dhunuchi dance ke waqt unke kapdo mein aag lagi tab, tab kisi ne ek baar bhi unse poocha ki wo theek hai ya nahi? Aap log to waha the bhi nahi. Aaj sochti hu to lagta hai ki aisa to hamne kisi anjaan insaan ke sath bhi nahi kiya"

"Main aap sabse kya complain karu jab khud unke sath 3 mahine rehke jaan ne ki koshish tak nahi ki" she dropped on the couch. "Unke baare mein kuch bhi to nahi pata mujhe sirf iske ki wo ek ache businessman hai aur ussey bhi ache father. Unhone har waqt mera sath diya, tab bhi jab Masi ya Tanvi ne mujhe kuch kaha. Jo Anurag bhi kabhi nahi kar paya. Maine ye bhi nahi socha unhe kaisa lagta hoga jab har baar Anurag ki chhoti badi taqleef ko lekar main uske pass chali jati thi. Chahe jin bhi halato mein sahi, shaadi hui thi hamari, wife thi main unki. But he just supported me without saying a word"

"Par is sabse ye sach to nahi badal jayega ki jo hua wo galat hua tha?" Said Shivani

"Agar galat hua to sabki taraf se hua na Shivani. Ek ko dosh deke kya fayda. Maine jo kiya Anurag ke liye kiya aur Mr. Bajaj ne kukki ke liye. Anurag ne bhi to mujhe pane ke liye, khud ka accident plan karke Mr. Bajaj ko frame karne ka plan kia, jo tumhe bhi pata hai" everyone was shocked to hear this.

"Main mili Mr. Bajaj aur kukki ko Maa, hamare NGO ke founding day celebration par. Aditya unhe sath lekar aye the. Wo bacchi ab bhi mujhe yaad karti hai, apni Prerna Mom samajhti hai" Prerna moved towards the dining area and took out a sheet from her bag.

"Ye dekhiye, ab bhi uski complete family mein main hi uski Prerna Mom hu. Main, jisne usey chhodne se pehle ek baar bhi uske baare mein nahi socha. Ye nahi socha ki mere sath rehke usey bhi attachment hua hoga, meri bacchi kaise move on karegi? Aur Mr. Bajaj, unhone wo har cheez ki jo maine kaha, aur badle mein sirf meri loyalty aur trust expect kiya, main wo bhi nahi kar saki. Koshish tak nahi ki. I broke my child's dream family, isliye aaj main yaha aise.. shayad."

Prerna's cries were beyond her control, she hugged her Mom and broke into loud cries.

Shivani couldn't believe her sister who was madly in love with Anurag was now crying for a child and a man who she felt almost destroyed her sister's life. She held Prerna's hand and asked "Priyu di, to kya ab Mr. Bajaj ke pass jana chahti hain?"

Prerna looked at her sister with her tired and teary eyes and gave her a forced smile. "Don't you worry Shivi, aisa kuch nahi hoga. Main chahu to bhi nahi. He has many people around his who know him and value him. His wife.. or ex- wife is back.. and wo unse aaj bhi unse bhuat pyaar karti hai. Ab to unhe kukki ke liye bhi meri zarurat nahi padegi. Wo to ye bhi nahi chahte ki main aur Kukki zyada mile" Prerna broke into tears.

"Ex-wife Mr. Bajaj hain hi itne bure ki koi rehna nahi chahta.."

Prerna said at the top of her voice "Nahi hai wo bure insaan.."

"Agar wo itne hi ache hote, jaise aap keh rahi hain to unki wife ne kyu chhod diya? Koi itni chhoti bacchi ko kyu chhodega?"

"Ham jaisa sochna chahte hain waisa hi sochte hain Shivi. Anurag ne kaha ki Mr. Bajaj galat insaan hai to maine aankh band kar ke maan liya tha. Kitni baar I saw his good side but my love was blinding enough to not let me see anything beyond him. But ab jab khuli aankhon se dekha to bhaut kuch alag tha. Khair is sab ka koi fayda nahi. Tumhare liye wo galat the aur shayad hamesha hi galat rahenge bhi, but for me things have changed, because I can now see the world with my own eyes, naki Anurag ki"

"Aur jaha tak unki ex-wife ki baat hai Shivi, to zaruri to nahi his wife left him because he was wrong, aisa bhi to ho sakta hai ki he left her because she did something terrible. Warna wo wapas unki life mein kyun ana chahegi? Nahi?" said Prerna and left for her room, leaving everyone behind, especially a confused Shivani.

--------

THREE DAYS LATER

ACHARYA FOUNDATION HQ

Prerna's Workstation, 5.30 PM

"Prerna… Prerna.." Prerna blinked her eyes several times, hearing her name in a fading voice that got clearer. She felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Prerna where are you lost? I have been calling you for so long" she heard Bandana from behind.

Prerna found herself on her chair at her workstation. She didn't know where she was lost, Bandana voice got her back from her wonderland.

"I am sorry Ms. Acharya, I'll finish the report in the next five minutes.. it's almost done" Prerna said typing fast on her laptop.

"Prerna stop.. I said stop and come with me" said Bandana, she held her hand and took her to her cabin.

"What is it?" Asked Bandana, settling Prerna on a chair.

Prerna looked puzzled but soon she gave in as Bandana wasn't someone who she could play around with for very long.

"I am confused.. I am not sure what I am doing with my life. I feel pulled between my past and present and that's making my future uncertain. I am not sure if my life has any purpose or not. What am I destined for? There are so many questions but no Answers Ms. Acharya" she kept her hands on the table and covered her face.

"If that's the case then go explore. Get your hands dirty, seek what you are looking for. Your purpose won't show itself unless you find it"

"I am not sure, if I am even needed where my heart wants me to go"

"Then you should for sure, at least you'll know if you belong or don't. Nahi to lifetime ek question, ek kash ban kar reh jayega. Zyada se zyada you'll lose. But isn't the fight worth irrespective of the end result? If you fight you still have two ways, either you lose or win. But agar fight nahi karogi to there is just one outcome- YOU LOSE. So isn't it better you try"

Prerna didn't move, her face still over her arms on the table. Bandana sat on the chair next to her and said "Prerna it's not necessary to win the war. Sometimes it's worth just fighting for what you want. There is no need to know if it's right or wrong, you just do because you believe in it or mind or your heart tells you to do it. You do it for yourself, without caring for the world or people around or your own side that stops you from taking that leap"

Prerna lifted her face and looked at Bandana, puzzled.

"Come, let me show you something" Bandana held her hand and they stood inside the "Hall of the Fame" area. Prerna and Bandana stood in front of the wall that had pictures of some known personalities and a few faces she didn't know much about. But she knew all of these were from a time she wasn't even born.

Bandana's voice brought her out of her thoughts. "This wall was created by my father and we followed the tradition"

"Most of these are men" asked Prerna.

"But there are few women too" Bandana said with a smile. "They all had a mission, a purpose for their life and dedicated it to accomplish. Some did, some did not but their efforts are equally important, aren't they?" Bandana looked at Prerna with a content smile.

"You know who was my father's favourite? Come let me show you.." Bandana and Prerna stood in front of a frame that had a picture of a happy couple.

"That's Indrani Sahay and Indraneil Sahay. He was an IAS officer and she was a budding journalist of her time. My father said she was the bravest they ever had for her time. This was long back before you or Ayesha were even born. Being a woman and a journalist was not an easy thing at that time. They worked as a team and uncovered several scams happening away from the law. Biggest being petroleum adulteration one. Nobody knew about the huge adulteration business that operated under the covers leading to tens of thousands crores of scams every year, unless these two brought it in the daylight. It was a huge revelation, and these groups were so strong that they would harm or eliminate anyone who looked like a threat"

"But these two busted the whole scam and to no one's surprise, it didn't go very well with the adulteration mafia as she called them in her series of investigative articles. Aur wahi hua jo humesha hota hai. Life threats, public shame and humiliation. Both lost their jobs. Publication that Indrani worked for didn't just take away her job but they even published an article on a front page apologising for publishing her investigation saying, she was just cooking up some stories. Her career was finished, she was almost your age. From what we heard, they also destroyed all her investigation documents and evidence. These two were ruined in matter of days, running from poles to pillars for security"

"One fine day a headline in the newspaper came as a shock to only a handful who trusted these two 'Former IAS officer Indraneil Sahay, shot dead outside his house, killers unidentified' No surprise right? That was the last time anything was ever printed about them, until after over a decade or so that Indrani probably too died. But no one could be certain because nobody heard of her post her husband's death and what her own people, people she worked for risking every second of her life did to her"

Prerna's face reflected nothing but pain and anger as she heard the story behind the smiling faces in the frame.

Reading her questioning face, Bandana said "you must be thinking, why am I telling you a long story of a man and a woman who lost everything in the end, even a chance to live, right? They lost it but their efforts and work brought things to light. They had a purpose and a goal, that brought the change they wanted to see. In time to follow serious investigations were carried and the administration took note of it too. They lead to the beginning of an ongoing process."

"For them the fight was more important because if they cared for the end result, they would have never taken such a risk. So you decide if it is worth fighting for whatever you are seeking even if you end up losing in the end?"

"Ever since, you are back from Mumbai, I see you are more determined and better at work but I don't see that you have a strong reason to be here in Acharya's. There is something you've left back there, a piece of you, an important one that's missing.. like your soul. It's not that you are not doing a good job, it's just that you are doing it good as a JOB. I see you have immense potential to find your way amongst these people but not until you are clear from here (she pointed at her head) and here (she pointed at the heart)"

After a brief moment of silence, Bandana continued "I hope you know that you are not under any obligation to be here when you could be somewhere you want to" Prerna looked at her with teary eyes. "Find your purpose no matter how big or how small it is. All you need to do is find it. Yaha lagi har tasveer mein jo bhi insaan hai usne bahar ki ladai se pehle khud ke andar ki ladai ladi hai and you need to do the same Prerna"

Bandana cupped her face and said "I want you to go home and take some time. And once you have clarity, call me. Okay" Prerna tightly hugged her and said "Thank you Ms. Acharya. Thank you so much"

8.45 PM

Prerna directly went upstairs to her room, ignoring everyone in the living room and closed the door. Her family members sensed she needed to be alone and didn't disturb her. She opened her cupboard and took out all the things she had locked away long back. She kept everything on the bed Kukki's picture, family picture, her divorce papers, Mangasutra, parting note and the notes exchanged at the Juhu hotel. She spread everything and stared for a while.

She opened the door and came down to her mother's room.

"Maa.. kya aap mujhe Anurag ki photo de sakti hain jo aapne pass rakh li thi jab main Basu Badi se yaha aayi thi?" Veena looked a bit worried not just because she asked for his picture, but how tired and lost she looked.

Veena opened her cupboard and gave the picture without asking a question. Prerna held her Mom's wrist and walked to her room. Veena saw all the things kept on the bed and she couldn't really understand what her daughter was upto. Prerna stood near the bed and kept Anurag's picture on the right side, slightly away from everything else on the bed.

"Maa.. Maine life ke bhaut se decisions khud le liye bina aap ko bataye and I am sorry again. Today also I have an important decision to make and this time I want to take it with you. Ye meri life ke wo decisions hai jinke wajah se my life changed so much" she said pointing at all the things lying on the bed.

"Anurag jiske baare mein main har ek chhoti se chhoti cheez janti hu. Usse shaadi, jo har baar hote-hote reh gai.. aur ek taraf Mr. Bajaj jinke bare mein main kuch bhi nahi janti, unse shaadi jo na chahte bhi hui aur aaj tak waise hi hai" she picked up the unsigned divorce papers and showed it to her.

"Ek taraf Anurag se mera pyaar hai jiski bas ek picture hai aur dusri taraf Mr. Bajaj ke sath meri shaadi, jisse judi har ek cheez hai mere pass. Especially Kukki, jo mujhe aaj bhi utna hi pyaar karti hai"

"Dono hi meri phonch se bhuat dur hain. Mera mann kehta hai Anurag wapas ayega, but jab wo wapas ayega to kya sab kuch waisa hi hoga? Aur sab kuch waisa hi hua to bhi kya uske ghar wale mujhe apnayenge? Agar apna bhi lein to kya mujhe unke apnane ka intezaar karna chahiye?"

"Aur dusri taraf meri beti aur Mr. Bajaj. Main janti hu waha mera koi jagah nahi hai, jo maine kiya uske baad. Aur agar main wapas jana chahu to waha Mr. Bajaj ki ex-wife hai. Jo ho sakta hai aaj nahi to kal unki life mein jagah bana le"

"Dono hi jagah chances hai ki main akeli reh jaau. To kaunsa intezaar aur ladai ladni chahie Maa? Anurag ke liye, jo agar jeeti to shayad pyaar milega but izzat nahi, family nahi. Waha logo ke liye main bas ek middle class ladki hi rahungi. Aur Mr. Bajaj, agar waha jeeti to meri bacchi ka pyaar, izzat, life apni terms par jeene ki freedom sab milega but shayad Anurag ke jaisa pyaar nahi"

Prerna turned to look at her mother who was speechless all this while "To bataiye Maa, kaunsi fight worth hai?" Prerna looked at her Mom and then at everything that laid on the bed.

"Priyu, humein ek raat ka waqt dogi? Ye sab yahan aise hi chhod do aur hamare room mein so jaao. Subah tak humein jo sahi lagega wo jawab mil jayega. Par usey man na ya na man na tumhare hi upar hoga. Theek hai?" Prerna nodded and walked away with her Mom, closing the door of her room.

Though it was just another night, it felt longer and darker, beyond which Prerna was looking for an answer for her most important question. Both mother-daughter found it hard to sleep that night.

NEXT MORNING

9.30 AM

Prerna woke up with a jerk and looked at her side. Her mom wasn't there. As she looked at the clock she recalled night's conversation with her Mom.

She rushed outside the room calling for her Mom, only to find Shivani in the Kitchen making tea. "Maa mandir gai hain" Prerna was disappointed, she turned back to her room when she heard her sister again. "Priyudi, Maa na kaha ki aap se keh du. Aap jo dhund rahi thi kal raat wo Maa ne room mein rakh…"

Prerna didn't wait for her sister to finish and ran upstairs, surprising Shivani with her behaviour. She stood outside the door, gathering courage to open the door and see what her Mom thought about her question. She took a deep breath and opened the door. As she walked towards her bed, everything was cleared. All she found was Anurag's frame on her bed. She reached her locker and found it locked with it's key not in it's place.

Prerna turned back and leaned against the almirah and dropped on the floor. Tears rolling down her eyes. She looked at the side table for Kukki's frame but it was gone too. "Why Maa..?"

Soon she heard her Mom's voice and she rushed down with Anurag's picture in her hand to talk to her. She saw her Mom entering her room and followed. She found her Mom folding the bedsheet and said everything in a breath "Maa.. aapne mere locker ki keys kaha rakhi? Aur mera saman kyu hata diya. Aur ye (she showed Anurag's picture) ye aapka faisla hai. Main us ghar mein jaaun jaha hamari koi izzat nahi hai. Aur Kukki, maine aapko bataya na main usse kitna pyaar karti hu, fir bhi aapne ye choose kiya?"

Veena folded Prerna's sheet and said calmly "Beta tumne humse poocha hum kya sochte hai to humne wahi kiya. Ab isey manna na manna tumhare upar hai, hamne raat bhi yahi kaha tha"

"Haan aapne kaha tha but ye.. ye aapka kaisa faisla hai?"

"Kyu beta, kya galat hai hamare faisle mein, pyaar to karti hi ho na Anurag se.. aur tumne hi kaha ki wo wapas aayega.."

"Mujhe nahi pata.. mujhe bas usey ek baar sahi salamat dekhna hai.. main nahi janti ki ab bhi main ussey pyaar karti hu ya nahi"

"Par hamare jawab se aitraz kya hai Priyu.."

"Mujhe problem ye hai ki, YE MERA DECISION NAHI HAI MAA…." Prerna blurted in breath.

Veena had a wide smile on her face as she heard her daughter.

"Aap smile kyu kar rahi hain?" asked Prerna, unable to understand what her Mom found funny in that situation.

Before Veena spoke, Shivi interrupted from the doorstep. "Priyudi, aap bina sune kyu chali gai? Maa na kaha ki jo bhi aap dhund rahi thi wo unke room mein hai aapke nahi. Aap puri baat sune hi chali gai upar. Maa ab aap hi bata dijiye aur haan chai tayyar hai, aap dono aa jayiye bahar" said Shivani and left.

Prerna looked at her Mom with teary eyes and that's when her gaze fell on her black suitcase kept near the side table, next to where her Mom stood with a smile and hands extended, waiting for a hug.

"Maa.." Prerna dropped Anurag's frame on the bed and embraced her mother in a tight hug.

"Priyu, hum kafi dino se is baare mein soch rahe the aur kal raat humein yakeen ho gaya ki tum kya chahti hu. Tumhara saman is bag mein hai. Jab chaho tab Mumbai jane ki tayyari kar lena"

Prerna tightened her grip around her mother and said "to ab tak aap kuch boli kuch nahi"

Veena broke the hug and wiped her daughter's tears. "Waise to hum galati se ye photo upar chhod aye the, but jab tum yaha aayi to socha ek baar tumhare muh se bhi sunle ki tum kya chahti ho"

"Beta hum khush hai tumhare decision se. Tum kamyab ho ya na ho, hum tumhare sath hai. Aur agar cheeze tumhare hisaab se na hui to bhi is ghar ke darwaze humesha tunhare liye khule hain. Aaj sach mein tum life mein aage badi ho, bas yuhi himmat se aage badti rehna" Veena kissed her daughter.

"Mom I will miss you a lot. Thank you"

"Mumbai kaha dur hai. Bandanaji aur Aditya se baat ki?"

Prerna shook her head and said "abhi karni baki hai, pehle aapse janna chahti thi"

"Pata hai Priyu, aaj humein hamari strong beti wapas mil gai hai. Aur hum pray karenge ki tum jo bhi dhund rahi ho wo sab tumhe mil jaye" Prerna hugged her Mom.

"Ab aap log bahar ayenge breakfast ke liye?" Shivani stood at the door, with her hands resting on the waist.

"Sorry Shivi, chalo" Veena got up and left with Shivani. Prerna laid back on the bed and her face adorned with a wide smile, filled with excitement as well as uncertainty of what was waiting for her in Mumbai.

"Priyu beta aa jao jaldi" Prerna heard her Mom and she replied "Aayi Maa"

Part 24- Page 89 https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/153284614

Link to other stories-

I AM HOME (One Shot)- completed

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/153085293

THE MIRROR (Two Chapters)- completed

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/152168455

EPIPHANY (5 chapters)- Completed

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/152039413

It's an lovely update Sunn_shine. Jaldi se chapter 20b update karo!!!! Baki a comment tab karugi!!!!

Originally posted by: Minhasmansi92

It's an lovely update Sunn_shine. Jaldi se chapter 20b update karo!!!! Baki a comment tab karugi!!!!

Hey Mansi.. 20B is right above your post.. thanks for reading Mansi🤗