As the group boarded their flight back home, the boys got lot of attention. While they stayed respectful, Arun decided to make a little reel about the attention Lakshay got and sent it to Nirali before switching off his phone . The fun back home would be amazing he thought to himself before dozing off.

Riya warped her arm around Varun's, resting her head on his shoulder. He pecked the top of her head. ''We could have made a life here. You will have to start from the beginning.'' She smiled tightening her grip around him. ''Aren't we making a start? Moreover, I could have a few more friends other than you.'' She smiled at the trio sitting behind and Varun forcefully pulled her chin towards him. ''I am enough...for you.'' She just smile with a shake of her head and then she frowned. Since they boarded, an air hostess kept making eyes at Varun. Riya had noticed the way girl had been brushing against her man. ''WOuld you  mind taking the window seat.'' She asked a little miffed. Varun just obliged. He could hear his friends chuckle behind him.

As the hostess approached again, she ignored Riya and went for Varun. But before she could open her mouth Riya warned. ''If you don't stop flirting and rubbing against my man, you will be sorry.'' 

Riya must have looked scary as the girl backed out. The trio behind cheered for her as other guests glared. ''No wonder you are best friends with Nirali.'' Naman said tongue in cheek. They all knew Nirali cloud be worst if it was about Lakshay. Riya just smiled. 

***

''You sure you wanted this to be a personal surprise?'' Amisha asked. Nirali had decided she would only disclose her pregnancy to Lakshay but looking at Nirali's excitement at the arrivals, Amisha thought otherwise. 

She jumped when Nirali let out a squeal running towards the group. She gave her husband a brief hug and then gave a long one to Riya. She then looked at all of them and dropped the bomb. ''I am pregnant.'' Lakshay froze while his friends cheered pulling Nirali in a group hug. Amisha face palmed, so much for the surprise. Their security requested them to move as their little celebration has attracted lot of attention. Naman moved his eyes to Amisha who stood at the distance smiling at her jumping friend. She looked at him and they shared a smile. 

***

As they drove back, Amisha had decided she wouldn't let the group know about Varun's father till the show but post that, she would so that they all can fight him. Once home Amisha watched as they all celebrated the good news. She wondered how long would all this stay, calm is followed by chaos and she dreaded the chaos, in the lives of all of them but above all, in her life. When she left all behind, she also made promise. Amisha never thought that she would be willing to give all up for someone else. 

Varun had been watching a lot of emotions crossing Amisha's face. He excused himself and walked to her. ''Your smile is hiding too much  today.'' Amisha's eyes watered but she covered her emotions. ''You are thinking a lot.'' She replied smiling wide

''You didn't leave me when I was at my lowest. I will never forget that somewhere you are responsible for bringing Riya back to me.'' Amisha still stayed quite . Varun held her by shoulders, ''I am here.''

She smiled. ''I know.'' Their discussion was cut short with Nirali picking a fight with Lakshay . ''Her hormones are going wild.'' Varun whispered

''No, she just wants to be pampered.'' They kept enjoying the show and Amisha decided to calm her friend. But her feet halted at Varun's words. ''Amisha, we will fight whatever it is.'' She smiled wide and gave him a brief hug.

***

Varun bought his own place in the same building as Lakshay. While Riya went busy decorating their place , Varun was still worried about her reluctance to tie the knot. He watched as she discussed the interiors of their new home with a professional. Once they were alone, he pulled her closer by waist burying his face in her nape of her neck. Riya moved her fingers through his hair. ''What's troubling you Varun?''

Varun lifted his head to lock his eyes with her, ''Marry me Riya.''

''I will but why hurry?'' She asked and Riya could immediately feel Varun shift. She could feel his rasped breath , his anxiety kicking in. He looked disturbed. ''Look at me Varun.'' He didn't, it was as if he wasn't listening to her. Varun was there but his mind seemed somewhere else.

''Varun!'' Riya called out making him snap out of his thoughts. ''Varun, tell me what's running in your mind. Please speak to me.''

''Are you going to leave me? Break my heart for what I did all those years back? Will you leave me because I am undeserving?''

Riya noticed how disturbed Varun was, his body shook in fear. She had done all to make his believe that she was here to stay but for some reason he keep slipping back into same darkness. Something was off, something she couldn't think off.

Riya took a deep breath, ''Let's get married Varun. As soon as we can.''  His face turned calm and he smiled. '' You mean it.''

''Yes, we get married, with all the rituals.'' And he hugged her tight. But this added to her worry. Once Varun left to jam with his group. Riya went through all his stuff. Varun had been with his friends for long and he seemed normal. The time was enough for anyone to be able to fight their demons but Varun had started having these anxiety episodes more than before. Riya thought, and a realization struck her rather hard. Someone was playing with his mind. This wasn't era of letters or emails where she could find any proof. She picked her phone and dialled Arun, she knew he would keep calm and do what she wanted. Before Arun uttered she spoke, ''Don't take my name. I need your help. Someone is still playing with Varun's mind. His episodes have increased.''

Arun excused himself and stepped out. ''WHat do you want me to do?''

''All his messages and calls to be directed to me and if you could check his phone. ALso, lets change the number.'' Arun agreed, he stared at Varun, years back when they had started, hateful call from his father and siblings had driven Varun to the verge of  madness, but he just wanted to be sure that it was again them. If yes, he would have to tell others and take the haters down hard.

***

Riya smiled at her newly decorated home, it was just like she had dreamt as a silly teenager. Her dream had actually come true, she was with the man she loved and they were family now. Back in past she had so many things planned but now, she just wanted to live in the moment. Just feel his presence and forget all.

Her phone buzzed, it was a message from Varun. He had been persistent on her continuing her practice and had sent out a form to fill for upcoming exam. Riya's education was of that a foreign land,  she had to write this exam to be able to practice in India. He had mentioned in bold that Arun would drop the books and she should start. Riya hugged her phone close. Her life seemed perfect, but she dreaded the ones who sat in shadows to spoil it

***

Varun reached home late, he punched in the code unlocking the door. He rubbed his hair to get rid of droplets that had settled on his head. The weather had suddenly changed and the drizzle changed into full blown down pour. 

Varun made in way in looking for the face he called home. He heard faint sounds and moved into the room and there she was, dancing under the down pour like a child in their huge balcony. She would jump around splash water and then giggle like little girl. Varun went back to he years where he had seen her dancing in the rain with Nirali. Nothing seemed different, they both were still there in the rain and together. 

Riya noticed Varun staring at her, she extended her hand and he shook his head. ''No!''

''Yes, either you come willingly or I drag you kicking and screaming.'' She replied and he laughed. A laugh she hand't heard in years. 

''I am serious Varun. I did take self defence classes back in London.''

''You can hit me all you want, I am not getting wet.'' He replied stepping back bu she was faster. Riya wrapped her arms around his neck , standing over his feet. ''Now, refuse...I bet'' She whispered. Varun found himself lost in her , he lifted her up and took her back under the pouring clouds. ''Anything for you!'' He said holding her close to his chest.

''Varun, do you believe me?''

''yes''

''Then believe this, come what may, I will never leave you. I will love you till the end of this universe and beyond. It doesn't matter who says what, we will always be there for each other.'' Her words worked liked a magic potion. Varun cupped her face, his thumb caressing her cheek softly. His eyes scanning her, reading her and turning soft as he words started sinking in.

The rain had turned hard but it seemed unable to faze them, he believed her. Riya could no longer hold so she hugged him tight, her eyes had now started watering. What had this cruel world done to her Varun. The boy who loved attention, and life was lost, and in place of him was this man who pretended strong but feared the unknown. he Varun she knew wanted to prove himself worthy of love and this Varun feared about being rejected. Riya's grip tightened, so did his, she was going to build his hope. She was going to bring her Varun back. 

''You will fall sick Riya.'' He said trying to cover her wet shivering body with hers. 

''Then pamper me and I will be all fine.''

Varun scooped her up, he carried her to the bathroom and placed her under the shower. Adjusting the temperature, he allowed warm water wash the shiver off their bodies. Pulling out a fluffy towel, he gently rubbed her hair watching her with a smile. She never broke the eye contact. These small thing and the intimacy was bonding them into a unbreakable bond. ''You change, I will change in the other room.'' Varun said but she held his hand.

''I am yours and you are mine.'' She stepped closer unbuttoning his shirt slowly. ''We are one Varun, we will not hide from one another, neither in mind nor in body.'' Riya wanted Varun to know and believe she wasn't leaving and for that, she was ready to do all. 

Later in the night as they lay in each others arms, she studied his face. He looked clam and at peace. She smiled, she was going to make it permanent. But before that, Riya wanted to close an old chapter. She wasn't the naive girl who dreamt with open eyes, she was a woman who waned to punish those who wronged her. With them going public, the plan was already in motion and now she was going to end it. Her aunt and SHaan had been in touch worried about her safety, but Riya worried more about Varun. 

She took a deep breath, she knew the limit her family could go. They had don before but she had no idea what Varun's family was capable of. Her phone buzzed and she unlocked reading the messages, there were screen shots of what Varun's dad and siblings tried in past. her blood boiled, throwing the phone in corner, she hugged Varu tight. ''You are still awake.'' He mumbled

''Yes, watching you.'' She replied. He hummed pulling her closer and she whispered. ''I love you

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