Vansh's pov :

One year... one year have passed and it went away way quickly. When I think life is going good then suddenly something unexpected happens which is not at all in my favor. Everything has changed in these months. I dropped out of college and joined our company, it was the biggest decision that I took and I don't regret it. Last year a tragic incident happens which turned my life upside down.

one year back

It was Sunday, as usual I woke up late. I was home alone. Maa and Baba were supposed to go to the hospital. Day by Day Maa's health was deteriorating. I can feel that just by looking at her. So I was happy finally she is visiting the hospital. I wanted to go with her but she denied.

I took a shower and got ready. Today I was going with my boys for trekking. Riddhama is also not home, she is at Siya's house from yesterday. I went downstairs to make breakfast for myself. To my surprise breakfast was already prepared. I had my breakfast and went out.

It was aroud 9, when I came back. Lights were out at my place. I thought "Maa and Baba still didn't came?" I want to believe everything was fine but still I had questions lingering on my mind. I pushed away all the thoughts and put a small smile on my face. I didn't want to go at my place as without my parents it feels empty. So I went up to Mumma and Papa. My mobile phone was switched off, I forgot to charge my phone this morning.  I saw both of them sitting on couch looking tense. But when they saw me they smiled, as if they are hiding something. I felt something is wrong.

We talked for little bit. After that I went to Riddhama's room. I put my phone on charging and went to freshen up. I checked my phone there was no missed  calls, Strange...., which increased my doubt. I called Maa's number but her phone was switched off. Then I call Baba's number. With every ring, I was getting more impatient. He picked up after the fifth ring.

"Hello, Ha Vansh" Baba said immediately after picking up.

"Baba, Where are you? And when are you coming back? What did the doctor's said? How is Maa? Why her phone is switched off? Is everything alright?"

"Vansh everything is alright" He cut me in between and said. I was not at all convinced by his answer. His voice felt heavy as if he has been crying or tired, which I couldn't differentiate.

"Where is Maa? I wanna talk to her..." I said immediately. "She is sleeping. I will tell her to call you when she's awake." He said. "Then when are you coming home?" I questioned "I also don't know. Once I get to know then I will inform you." He answered "What do you mean you don't know?" He didn't said anything. I again questioned "Are you in that hospital? And don't lie to me.." I heard him taking a breath of relief as if he got deafeated. I have very bad memories from that multi speciality hospital.

There was a complete silence for a few seconds. I patiently waited for him to say. "Baba, I want to know everything that you are hiding from me. Aapko meri kasam" I said hearing no response.

Again there was silence for few seconds  then Baba said "Beta, You're Maa's cancer relapsed." I felt as if the ground slipping under my feet. My legs felt like jelly. I couldn't stand, I fall on the nearby bed. Baba said continuing "You're maa felt a knot in her left underarm. She told me after few days. I immediately take her to the hospital. They run all the test, results turned out that it was indeed cancer. We immediately got her on medication. Last time we just did chemotherapy. This time doctor suggested us to do surgery first and then chemo, and we accepted that. Today we came here for the surgery." I couldn't control myself and started crying. I said while sniffing "How could you do this to me? Why didn't you tell me? I am coming the...." Before I could finsh Baba cutted me in between and said "No, beta we were going to tell after coming back...  but You can't come here.." "Why?" I questioned him. He answered "Because you're Maa didn't want You and Riddhama  to see her in this condition..." I started crying more. "Beta.." but before he could say something, I disconnected the call and smashed my phone on the nearby wall.

I was feeling helpless and heartbroken. I couldn't do anything. They both hide this very big news from me. I can't even go to check on her. I was scared. I have seen my maa suffer alot, how her weight dropped and her hair started shredding. I remember everything. Even though I have grown up but the child in me was very scared. The thought of seeing my loved one in pain was overpowering. The thought of losing my loved one was makeing me vulnerable.

Remembering past I felt heavy and felt my eyes becoming cloudy that's when I heard a knock on my office cabin. I quickly wiped out my tears and said "come in"

My secretary came with a file. Her name is Charlie D'souza. She is in her late 20s. She is very smart and does her work obediently.

"Yes,Charlie" I said. When I started working here, she was already baba's Secretary. Baba told her to work under me as she know many things. She used to call Sir which I didn't like. I am younger than her and couldn't digest this much respect. So I told her to call me by my first name. She was hesitant at first but then she also told me to address her by her first name. We both mutually agreed to that.

"Vansh, I am here to inform you that the meeting which was going to be held got cancelled due to some personal emergency." She said. I nodded and then she left.

I was reading the file when my phone started ringing. I saw the caller id and instantly I feel relaxed. It's my Sweetheart. Without wasting any time I received her call, as soon as I picked up she questioned me "Hi Vansh, have you had your lunch?" "Yes, and you?" I asked. She everyday calls me to remind me to eat. She has been so expressive lately. She does all the things for me. She knows how much busy I have got still she plans family times and date night or movie nights. Manier times, not even  15 minutes in the movie  and I would doze off. But she never ever complains. She took care of both Maa and Baba. Mumma and Papa also looked out for us. I am just greatful to have them. Today after soo many days, I got some time off so I asked her "Hey let's go out for a dinner tonight.." She replied with an "Ok". We talked for little bit. She told me all the gossip of the college. Then we end our call.

Riddhama's pov :

I am soo happy today. Vansh and me are going to spend some alone with each other. Because of his work we are not able to spend time with each other.I know his worldload is too much as he joined recently. I understand his situation.

After all the lectures, I went to home and started getting ready for dinner. Last year changed lot of things,

one year back

I was rushing to my home. I was at Siya's house suddenly I got a call from mumma. She immediately called me home. I don't know what's the matter. By hearing her voice I know it was important. I immediately left.

When I reach home, mumma was pacing back and forth. I called her, She looked at me, she looked tensed. She came towards me and said "Thankgod you came...". Papa also came after me. I looked at both of them and asked "Mumma is everything alright." Papa came beside mumma and said "We can't find Vansh.." I looked at them. Mumma was on verge of crying. Papa continued " He came yesterday night after that we haven't seen him. We thought he is in your room and is sleeping. In the morning your mumma went to check in bedroom, he was not there. She thought he went outside. But then she got his phone crushed. And I got a call from Ajay(Vansh's father) to check on him as he got to know...." He didn't said further so I questioned him "What he got to know?" "That Anupriya's cancer has relapsed.." He said. I gasped hearing him. "You are lying right?.... Maa is alright...I know". I was also on verge of crying. I still can't believe or I didn't what to believe what papa just said. Maa cupped my face and said "It is true" and started crying hugging me. I also cried in her embrace.

I pulled away from mumma and said "If you knew, why didn't you tell me?" I couldn't complete further as Papa interrupted me saying "We will talk about this later. Right now finding Vansh is more important." I kept quiet. I know what is he going through. How hard is it for him as I'm feeling the same thing. "I have called all his friends and also met some of his friend, they don't know his whereabouts." Papa said. I cutted him in between and said "I know where is he."

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PROLOGUE OF MY OTHER STORY :

"I want to end things..." he said

"What things?" I asked him

He paused for a second and said

"I don't want to be with you.."

I was shocked, I wanted to cry but didn't instead asked him "Why?"

He looked at me and said "I am not good for you and.. and You deserve someone way better than me."

My tear started to fall... He wanted to talk further but I interrupted him saying " Who are you to decide for me that What is good or bad for me? For me you are the best thing that ever happen to me. You bring out the best in me.."

He didn't let me finish, interrupted in between saying "I'm not here to listen anything... I'm just here to tell you that we are not together. I'm breaking up with you..."

He turned around and said " Ise ek bure sapne ki tarah bhool jao. Even though some part of this dream was beautiful but I still want you to forget about it. I want you to wake up from this dream and face the reality. And I want you to  move on.... Goodbye"

Saying this he left without even looking at me once...

I was still processing his each and every word. I didn't wanted to believe in what he just said but a part of me was telling me that he broke up with you, he left you, you need to accept that..

I started crying hysterically.... I just want him to come back and tell me that it was just a prank. I waited there for I don't know how much time for his return... But he never returned. He left breaking my heart into millions of pieces.

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I WANT YOUR HELP... SUGGEST ME A STORY TITLE BASED ON THE PROLOGUE... RIGHT NOW I HAVE NAMED IT AS "PARTED WAYS".

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Annyeong👋