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Athiya woke up around 12 PM. She rubbed her eyes and sat on the bed. Her gaze then fell on Rahul who was still sleeping on the couch hugging the sheet. She got up and went to him slowly. She sat on her knees. She gently took the sheet from Rahul's hold. She saw it and could easily recognise her own hand writing.

Athiya (in mind): I love him?? How?? Jaha tak mujhe pata hai he was not ready for any romantic relationship then how can I fall for a person who was not ready for it?

She has made her guards too rigid and kept them so high that she was not able to understand the value and position Rahul has given to her in his life. Though even he has not explained it properly through words as he is not good at it. He can express more through his actions. But Athiya was hell confused. She again looked at Rahul who was looking a bit pale and his face was still having dried tear marks.

Athiya (in mind): Mere dil me jo bhi tha lekin I cannot deny the fact that he is my husband and he is taking good care of me. He is giving me the respect of a wife.

A small smile came on her face. She without realising started caressing his hair. A small smile came on Rahul's face.

Rahul (in sleep): Tia..

Athiya smiled as he recognised her touch. She felt special but before she could feel further, she realised the reality

Athiya (in mind): I am his responsibility. I should stay in my limits.

Athiya took her hand back. But as soon as she took it back, Rahul started getting disturbed in sleep.

Rahul (in sleep): Tia.. Tia...

Athiya shook him.

Athiya: Rahul.. Rahul.. Uthiye..

Rahul woke up with quite a jolt. Athiya kept her hand on his shoulder.

Athiya: Rahul.. sleep on the bed

Rahul: Haan?? kya??

He was still in quite a daze. Athiya hold his arm.

Athiya: Chaliye.. bed pe so jao

Rahul: Nahi main.. matlab kaise..

Athiya: Chaliye Rahul..

She slightly pulled him to which he got up by himself and went to bed though was looking slightly disturbed.

Athiya: Rahul..

Rahul: Rah Tia.. Agar kisi ne Rahul bolte hue sun liya to Shaq ho jayega

Athiya: Theek hai.. Aap so jao aur rest karo Rah. Main niche hoon sab ke sath. Just want to get along with them. You please take some rest

Rahul: Nahi main bhi niche..

Athiya: Aap rest karoge Rah. And that's final. End of discuss

Rahul laid back on the bed.. Athiya caressed his hair to which he closed his eyes and soon fell asleep. The exhaustion of past few days clearly visible on his face. Athiya covered him properly with blanket. Her muscle memory kicked in and she leaned towards him to kiss on his forehead when the reality again took over and she stopped herself clearly confused on why and how can she do that when she is just a responsibility for him.. just a burden. She gulped down hard and held herself back.

Athiya (in mind): Aap achchhe insaan ho Rahul. Bade logo ko aap ke sath aisa nahi karna chahiye tha. But I won't allow them to spoil your life by making me part of your life.

She went to get freshen up and then went downstairs through lift. Sakshi saw her and helped her to the sofa.

Virat: Tia.. tum akeli kyu ayi? Kisi ko bula leti na. Abhi bhi weakness hai aur doctor ne mana bhi Kiya hai na. And leave all this where is Rah? Uss idiot ko tumhare sath hona chahiye tha na

Athiya: Bhaiya relax. Calm down.

Virat: Kya kiya Rah ne?

Athiya: Kuchh bhi to nahi

Virat: Kisi ne kuchh kaha kya tumhe?

Athiya was hell confused

Athiya: Nahi to.. why are you getting hyper?

Rohit: Agar sab theek hai then why are you calling him Bhaiya?

Athiya: Kyuki bade hai.. as simple as that

She said while shrugging her shoulders but there was a pin drop silence in the hall. Her words were like a slap to everyone's face which brought them back to this new reality that Athiya doesn't remember them and their relationship.

On the other side, Athiya was surprised as why suddenly there was a silence

Rohit cleared his throat

Rohit: Tia.. we generally call each other with Nick names and all. And juniors call us Bhai more than bhaiya. If someone specially one of you or Rah call Virat Bhaiya which means there is something which is bothering you

Virat: Other than that I am Vi Bhai

Athiya: Oh sorry.. I didn't know that

Harry: But you can call me Harry in whichever situation.. I won't mind

He tried to ease the situation and it worked as Athiya chuckled. Rest all too started getting control over themselves

Harry: Waise where is my bestie?

Athiya: Bestie? Jasprit..

She stopped as she saw Jassi was looking at her..

Athiya: I mean Jassi is here only..

Jassi smiled and Athiya smiled back.

Harry: Are I was asking about Rah. Jas is here only na why would I ask about him?

Athiya: Oh yeah. My bad

Vami pulled Athiya's kurti. She looked at her.

Vami: Rah Cha where Rah Chi??

Athiya: Kya?

Anu: She too is asking about Rah

Athiya: Oh.. woh so rahe hai. Thake hue the to maine sone diya. Aap logo ko kuchh kam hai uthau unhe?

Virat: No Tia.. let him rest. Waise bhi pichhale kuchh dino se aise hi hai. Aur ab tum Ghar aa gayi ho na ab chen mila hoga usko.

Rohit: Seriously Vi.. your this kiddo is the most complicated one from all the juniors we have

Virat & Athiya: He is just too straight forward

Virat and Athiya looked at each other and rest all looked at them. And after few seconds the hall was echoing with the sound of laughter

Anu: Pakka you both are Twinnies.

All chuckled. They continued talking.

Ritz: Okay guys it's time for lunch.

She said it while clapping.

All got up and Sakshi helped Athiya in getting up.

Anu: Tia dining table tak chal paogi? Thaki Hui lag rahi ho

Athiya: Ji bhabhi. And I am fine. Please aap log itni chinta mat karo

Shrey: Bhabhi.. chinta to hogi na. Aap hamari sabse pyaari bhabhi ho

Shubhi: Aur nahi to kya.. Aap jaldi theek ho jao phir hum sab aur aap milke phir se Rah bhai pe prank karenge

Athiya felt strange because she and prank.. She could break the bones who try to do prank with others but her doing prank was totally unacceptable to her. They settled in the dining area.

Harry came there while dragging Rahul who was still sleepy. Rahul sat beside Virat and kept his head on his shoulder who took him in a side hug to make him feel more comfortable in his position. Athiya saw it and a smile came on her face seeing the love they share.

Rohit: Rah.. eat your lunch first chalo. Then you go and sleep okay

Rahul nodded in yes

Rahul: Okay B-Ro. Lekin khana kidhar hai?

Rohit facepalmed himself whereas rest all chuckled as Rahul was looking for the food with closed eyes.

Athiya quickly served his plate and then Anu placed it in front of him. She then gently whacked him to which he opened his eyes.

Rahul (whining): Bhabhi..

Anu: Eat Rah.

Virat: Rah kiddo tabiyat to theek hai na?

Rahul: Ji. It's just that I am tired.

Virat tore a morsel made Rahul have it.

Virat: Main khila Raha hoon na kha lo abhi jaldi se okay

Rahul: You are the best

All chuckled. They all started eating.

Athiya though didn't want to but still was stealing glances of Rahul who was behaving like a kid with Virat and she was finding it too cute. Anu noticed her.

Anu: Yeh dono aise hi hai. Tum lunch kar lo finish

Rahul: Bas mera ho gaya. I am going

Saying so he went from there with almost closed eyes. Rest all shook their heads at his antics.

Virat: At least 2 roti to khayi aaj

Mahi: Lekin Cheeku you have to be after him Haan. Jaldi hi series ayegi and he needs to be fit enough. His appetite has reduced a lot

Virat: Haan Bhai. Lekin maine plan Kiya hai dheere dheere zyada khana khilaunga.

Mahi: Sahi hai and Tia..

Athiya: Ji

Mahi: Take care and sahi se diet ko follow Karo. Hume tumhe bhi jaldi se cricket field Pe dekhna hai

Athiya: Ji

Hearing about cricket there was a serene smile on her face. Harry noticed it. He mentally made a plan.

After lunch, Anu took Athiya to her and Rahul's room. Rahul was sleeping on the bed covering himself fully from head and his legs were all out of duvet. Anu shook her head.

Anu: Yeh ladka bhi na. Bachcho ke jaise sota hai. Pata nahi Tia tum kitni baar uthati hogi isko dhang se cover karne ke liye

Athiya didn't say anything but somewhere she was feeling something but what she couldn't understand. Anu took her to bed.

Anu: Leto chalo. Tum bhi rest karo ab

Athiya: Main?? Yaha??

Anu: To aur kaha?

Athiya realised what she said and internally cursed herself.

Anu: Wait.. sab theek hain na tum dono ke beech me? Rah ne kuchh kaha? Are you not comfortable with him?

Athiya snapped her head at her.

Athiya: Nahi bhabhi aisa kuchh nahi hain. Woh main bas yeh soch rahi thi ki yeh itni badi tange mujhe lag gayi to

Saying so she chuckled making Anu chuckled too.

Anu: Achchha chalo leto ab

Athiya lye down on the bed and Anu covered both of them properly. She caressed Rahul's hair and then went to Athiya and started caressing her hair.

Anu: Tum so jao. Main hoon yaha tab tak and no discussion on it.

Athiya smiled and closed her eyes. Rahul felt Athiya beside him in the sleep and he turned to her side and hugged her tightly. Athiya opened her eyes and was surprised to see him hugging her like his precious possession.

Anu: Isko chahiye hota hai kuchh na kuchh aise hug karke sone ke liye.

Athiya smiled at her and closed her eyes once again. She was getting irritated with Rahul but at the same time his hold was calming her down.. keeping her grounded. She was not able to understand why his constant presence was affecting her like this.

Athiya (in mind): Kya sach me mujhe Rahul se pyaar ho gaya hoga? But how? And why would I love someone who was married to me by force and was not ready for any romantic relationship?

Thinking all this she fell asleep. Anu got up to go but saw Athiya snuggled more towards Rahul in her sleep. Tears collected in her eyes but she composed herself. She closed the door behind her and ran downstairs. Rest all were there in the hall only. Anu went to Virat and hugged him tightly shedding tears.

Virat: Nushkie.. kya hua?

Ritz: Anu what happened?

Anu: I can't see them like this Vi. They both love each other.

Rohit sighed

Rohit: We have to behave normally Anu.. warna Rah bikhar jayega

Harry: Not only him, Tia too.

Ritz: Haan Anu.. unn dono ke rishte ko bachane ke liye.. Tia ko yeh ehsas dilane ke liye ki woh bhi iss pariwar ka hissa hai.. Rah ki patni hai we have to stay strong and behave like it's all normal.

Sakshi: As a doctor I would suggest ki hum jitna Tia ko normal environment denge she will recover soon.

Anu composed herself and nodded in yes.

Rahul woke up in the evening and found himself sleeping while hugging Athiya. A smile came on his face. He snuggled more and closed his eyes once again. He was so happy feeling that warmth. Athiya woke up after a while. As soon as she opened her eyes she gasped inaudibly but soon calmed down as she remembered he was already sleeping like that only

Athiya again looked at Rahul who was looking too cute while sleeping. She gently took his hand and kept it on the pillow. She got up and covered him properly.

Athiya: Mera dhyan rakhne ke liye kitni takleef uthayi inhone. Bade log samajte kyu nahi hai ki aise kisi ko bhi kisi ki bhi life me dhakel nahi sakte. Bina wajah mujhe dhakel diya inki life me aur inki biwi bana diya. Bichare ki to girlfriend bhi thi woh Nidhi... pata nahi sab kaise manage Kiya hoga

She looked at him once and went to washroom to get freshen up. Rahul opened his eyes and tears fell from them. He covered himself fully.

Athiya came out and saw him sleeping covering himself. She felt bad for him as he was so much tired. But little did she knew that he was just missing HIS TIA.

Athiya decided to go downstairs through staircase this time when she bumped into Harry in the lobby.

Harry: Tia.. what are you doing here? You should go down through lift na

Athiya: Doctor ne bola hai ek baar sidiya use karne ko

Harry: Achchha.. Come I'll help you

Athiya nodded in yes

Harry: So.. how's the recovery process going on?

Athiya: Bas chal rahi hai. It's not easy you know.. whatever is happening and whatever has happened.

Harry: You know when you guys came here, we knew it would be difficult but you both stood by each other's side. You both were there for each other.. It used to feel so wholesome

Athiya just hummed in response

Harry sighed.

Harry: Tia.. Look I know I am not the right person to talk to you about all the things but still.. please do not distance yourself from Rah. Woh nahi sahen kar payega. He is way too much sensitive. Uske liye cheeze ya to black hoti hai ya white. Gray usse samaj me nahi aata aur abhi uski life ka important rishta.. uski shaadi gray shade me ja chuki hai. Look I know it's not easy for you too. Tumhe kuchh yaad nahi hai aise me tum nahi bharosa kar sakti uspe understandable cheez hai lekin please give him a chance. Woh khud se kuchh nahi bolega Tia.. usko bolna nahi aata yeh sab. Just look into his eyes and focus on his actions. Tum samaj jaogi tum uske liye kya ho. Yes you are a responsibility for him..

Athiya snapped her head towards him getting startled at his confirmation on responsibility thing whereas she herself was ranting the same thing in her mind but it hurted her when Harry said it.

Harry continued.

Harry: And he is your responsibility too. Jaise har Husband Wife ek dusare ke hote hai

Athiya now understood what he was saying.

Harry: Give him a chance Tia. He won't disappoint you. Tumhe ajeeb lag raha hoga na ki beemar tum ho injured tum ho aur hum log Rah ki baatein karte rehte hai. Tia.. We know .. we could see woh bikhar raha hai andar se. We are scared ki kahi woh bilkul chup na ho jaye. I don't know Tumhe Rah ne bataya ya nahi lekin he was already hurt with the way Uncle Aunty handled the situation. He was more hurt because they didn't allow him to say his POV.. His side.. specially when people were spreading rumour about him and Nidhi's relationship jab ki unn dono ke beech me kuchh nahi tha kabhi. Rah to usko aaj Tak kabhi akele mila tak nahi.

Athiya was surprised hearing this

Athiya: He was not in relationship??

Harry: No.. He was not wanting to get into any relationship at that time. Aur phir jis tarah se shaadi hui, he was hurt. Mahesh uncle ke liye he would get married to you Tia but it was the timing he got to know. Jis din call aaya uss din village gaye aur tab Jake usko pata chala ki uske God father zindagi aur maut ke beech me jhul rahe hai. Agar usse pehle pata hota to shayad yeh sab jaise hua waise nahi hota. I won't say ki woh sahi hai hamesha lekin please try to understand his emotions too. Specially abhi.

Athiya nodded in yes after a while.

Harry: You can ask him tum dono ke beech me yeh understanding kaise aayi if you want kyuki humne kabhi tum dono ko ek dusare se door nahi dekha Tia. Tab bhi nahi jab tum dono ek dusare ke liye strangers jaise the. Please think about it.

Athiya nodded in yes. They reached downstairs and got busy with others.

At the dinner time, Virat went to call Rahul who was sitting on the bed and was looking lost. He felt strange. He went to him and put his hand on his shoulder bringing him back from his trance.

Virat: Kya hua bachcha?

Rahul: Kuchh nahi. I just woke up. Itne dino ki neend aaj puri ki lagta hai

Virat though was not convinced he didn't press him much and nodded in yes

Virat: Go freshen up bachcha. Dinner ka time ho gaya hai

Rahul nodded in yes and got freshen up and then he and Virat went downstairs.

Athiya has heard twice or thrice that she should focus more on Rahul's actions rather than his words and she started doing it. No matter what she definitely wants to know the person who has inspired her to become a cricketer. And if she knows him, she could find a suitable person for him

Athiya's heart: And can check whether you are suitable for him or not

Athiya's mind: It's nothing like that

Athiya's heart: It's like that only

Athiya's mind: It's nothing like that huh

Rahul's voice broke the war between her mind and heart

Rahul: Tia.. start eating. Phir meds bhi Leni hai. Time hone ko aaya uska

Athiya nodded in yes and looked into her plate. She made a face but nonetheless she started eating. She saw Ritz was eating Parathas and here she was having salad. She then looked at Rahul who too was eating salad.

Athiya (in mind): Diet freak.. aise diet freak insaan se main kaise pyaar kar sakti hoon??

Athiya's heart: A person falls for the love of his or her life in the most unexpected way

Athiya's mind: Chup.. Abhi dinner karo salad ka huh..

She had dinner and then she and Rahul went to their room. Rahul made her have her meds.

Rahul: Good night Tia..

Saying so he took the pillow and a duvet from the cupboard and went to couch and lye down there.

Athiya: Good night

She too then slept in a while because of meds.

On the next day, when Rahul came out after getting ready, he found a familiar sight of Athiya getting ready near the dressing table but she was not looking at mirror. She has still not looked at mirror in these many days. Rahul went to her. She looked at him with raised eyebrows.

Athiya: What??

Rahul: Nothing..

Saying so he took the Sindoor box and took pinch of it and filled her hairline. Athiya was a bit shocked with it. Rahul leaned forward but took few steps backwards looking here and there.

Rahul: Sorry woh adat hai

Athiya: Matlab??

Rahul: I daily used to fill your hairline and kissed on your forehead after it. Maang to bhar di lekin I know abhi we are not that much closer ki forehead pe.. so..

Athiya gave a slight nod.

Rahul: Achchha Tia aaj se exercise karni hai okay. Come I'll help you doing them

He helped her in basic exercises and she was actually doing good and he was really happy because of that.

For next few days, Athiya was just observing Rahul more and more and was getting he was actually very much attached to her but she has not remembered anything.

Athiya has noticed every movement of Rahul. She has seen his genuine love , care and respect for her.

Tonight once again Rahul gave her her meds and went to other side of the bed to take his pillow when Athiya spoke.

Athiya: Woh.. apse kuchh baat karni thi

Rahul: Haan bolo na. You can say anything to me Tia

Athiya: Umm.. woh.. aap betho na

Rahul nodded in yes and sat on the bed.

Athiya: Hum.. I mean.. we .. I mean us..

Rahul: Hamare relationship ke bare me baat karni hai?

Athiya nodded in yes

Rahul: Tia you are not just a responsibility for me.

Athiya: Nahi woh nahi..

Rahul: To?

Athiya cleared her throat

Athiya: How.. I mean how did we come closer? And you have said that we didn't have consummated to how much closer we were or we didn't even closer? Everyone is saying we were too much closer to each other then how come we didn't consummate if we are closer.. I mean these two things are going in opposite directions. Are you getting my point??

She asked almost in one breath.

Rahul sighed

Rahul: Relax Tia. To be honest I don't know when we came closer because we just came closer and closer to each other naturally. It was organic. Vi Bhai ne mujhe samjaya tha ki jab rishta todna nahi hai to at least itna cordial to hona padega ki ek dusare ke sath hum comfortable ho paye.. baatein share kar paye. Beshaq hamare rishte ki shuruaat ideal nahi thi Tia.. But we talked a lot. We never used to hide anything from each other. I guess it's the friendship which we accepted and it helped us in coming closer.

Athiya nodded in yes

Rahul: Rahi baat consummation ki to..

Athiya looked here and there

Rahul: We gave ourselves time Tia. Neither you nor me were ready for it. We didn't even ready to kiss each other to consummation was too far. But our physical intimacy was increasing. And I feel main reason for the same was you. Tumne mujhe itna zyada comfortable feel karwaya hamare rishte me ki main bata bhi nahi sakta. You gave me my space, my time and were supporting me in everything. You have been my biggest strength Tia. Shayad yahi hota hai Shaadi me. Aap ek dusare ke kab ho jate ho pata hi nahi chalta. Kuchh bhi mera ya tumhara nahi sab kuchh hamara hota hai.

Athiya again nodded in yes

Rahul: And rahi baat physical intimacy ki to we used to cuddle and forehead kiss, cheek kiss were there aur..

Athiya's heart started beating faster

Athiya: Aur..

Rahul (blushing): You have kissed me once on.. woh..

Athiya looked at him who was blushing. She chuckled

Athiya: Kitna blush karte ho?

Rahul: Sab apka hi asar hai madam.

Athiya: I am sorry Rahul. Aapki Tia kahi kho gayi aur main apko woh lauta nahi pa rahi

Rahul: No Tia please.. don't blame yourself. It's not easy for you too. Let's wait na. Tumne hi kaha tha we have enough time.. to.. thoda..

Rahul cleared his throat

Rahul: Thoda aur wait kar lete hai na. Sab theek ho jayega

Athiya cloud see the sadness in his eyes. There was pain in his eyes.

Rahul: Aur sab ke samne please Rah bolna Rahul nahi

Athiya: Okay Rah

Rahul: Are sab ke samne.. yaha pe chalega Rahul

Athiya: It's okay. Main gadbad kar dungi isse to achchha hai ki main yaha pe bhi Rah hi bolu

Rahul smiled slightly more than she has seen him in past few days.

Rahul got up to go

Rahul: Good night Tia

Athiya: Good night

Rahul took the pillow and duvet and went to couch and lye down there. He tried to fit in even though he was not able to

Athiya got some flashes of the similar scene.

Athiya (subconsciously): Aap bed pe so jaiye waha pe sooge to back me aur takleef ho jayegi apko

Rahul looked at her

Rahul: Tia..

Athiya: Haan kya?

Rahul: You okay?

Athiya: Haan

Rahul: How did you know back me takleef.. did you remember anything?

Athiya sighed

Athiya: I don't know Rah. I just got some flashes and I don't know why I said about the back

Rahul gave her a small smile

Rahul: Kyuki wahi se mera waha bed pe Sona start hua tha. You used to keep pillows between us and hum dono bed pe sote the. I was having back issue at that time to..

Athiya just gave a slight nod

Rahul: Are you okay Tia? Koi headache ya kuchh ho raha hai?

Athiya shook her head in no

Athiya: I am fine. Kuchh nahi ho raha

Rahul: Okay. Ab so bhi jao. Good night

Athiya looked here and there and she took a deep breath

Athiya: Ruko..

Rahul who was about to lye on the couch stopped mid way hearing this

Athiya: Um.. we can share bed. Beech me pillows rakh denge pehle ke jaise

Rahul: No Tia. You are not comfortable enough

Athiya: I am not uncomfortable Rah.

Rahul: Are.. are you sure?

Athiya nodded in yes and Rahul then went to bed. He himself kept pillows between them. He then passed a pillow to her

Rahul: Tumhe kuchh pakadke sone ki adat hai na.

Athiya was though surprised at first but then understood that he must have seen her like that

Athiya: Apko bhi to hai

Rahul: Haan woh tumhe dekh dekh ke lag gayi

Athiya chuckled

Rahul: Aise hi hasti raha karo

Athiya smiled at him and it was a genuine one. Rahul too smiled at her.

Athiya: Good night

Rahul: Good night

They both fell asleep in a while.

The distance between them which has reduced considerably has again started reducing the same way it has started earlier but it's not the same Athiya who has accepted Rahul with her whole heart.. This Athiya has doubts at each step. Her walls are too high but certain MR KL Rahul has managed to came inside her world and she was not even able to stop him. Her feelings are taking control over his mind but who will win the last battle.. is something only time will tell...

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So that's it for this chapter. Hope you guys like it

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