Hey guys.
How are you all. A delayed update. Thanks for sticking by me and still reading this. I have loads to know from you like how have you all been but I will ask all that in the end . Let's get to the chapter now.

Now this chapter won't be like all the other chapters. There wont be many dialogues. It will be more like a narration . I will explain why in the end as well.

Yash and Zoya had returned home. Aditya was sitting there. He didn't seem surprised to see them together. However he looked tired and worn down. He couldn't find the energy to argue with Yash.

Before Yash could say anything he told him that he could take Mrinalini with him if he wanted to but he should promise him that he would never abandon her again. It was Mrinalini's happiness that mattered to him in the end. Harsh agreed with him. Yash told both of them that they would get to this matter later and instead asked them to focus on the matter on hand which was Mrinalini knowing about her mothers demise.

Aditya and Harsh were strongly against it but Zoya asked them to think practically as one day Mri would question them about her mothers whereabouts. And now was the best time to tell her because she had her father with her. He could be the best person to tell her. Aditya agreed reluctantly but begged Yash not to reveal about the affair or the suicide.

Yash and Zoya told him that they would tell her that Pooja passed away in a car accident two days ago. Aditya was on the verge of breaking down again but Zoya consoled him.

When Mri came back home it was a somber environment. She went to her father and asked him why he looked so serious? He asked her to change her clothes and eat something before he told her the reason. She obliged.

Aditya told Zoya quietly that he wanted to retire to his room as he couldn't watch this. Zoya didnt force him to stay. Zoya and Yash took Mri to her room and very gently broke the devastating news to her. Mri didnt move , her face didn't show any expressions.  She slowly clutched the side of her bed and whispered softly "That's not true. It can't be."

She rocked to and fro but didn't cry, she was in too much of a shock.  Everything had changed for her in a fraction of seconds and she preferred to live in denial rather than face the reality. The next few days her actions shocked the others as she was happy and cheerful , a little too cheerful.

All the adults understood that this was her mechanism of grieving. However when even after a week her mannerisms didnt change , Zoya decided to take the matters in her own hands . She went to Mrinalini and told her yet again as gently as possible that it was true , her mother had passed away.

Mrinalini still didn't cry . She moved on from living in denial to bargaining with god. She felt it that if she offered something precious of hers, god would return her mother to her. She didnt eat for days, didn't sleep. She did nothing except stay silent and pray to God. In all this Zoya never left her side. She was there with her at all times. Yash, Harsh and Aditya were too emotionally devastated to help her.

Zoya made sure she drank water and something, even if it was just a nibble. She tried to make her sleep but Mri couldn't. Days passed like this with no change in Mrinalini. She did go to school but she went half heartedly. After some weeks , Mrinalini understood that God wasn't going to bargain with her and return her mother.

She accepted the reality but her demeanor didnt change. She became reserved. She didn't utter any words. Everyone was getting worried for her and Zoya told the other that it might be a good idea for them to see a therapist.
After many persuasions Aditya and Yash agreed.

They took her to a mental health professional. The therapist told them that Mrinalini was suffering from reactive depression. This was usually seen in people going through a loss or received a shock. Aditya asked her if there were some anti depressants to be given to her.

The therapist didn't encourage the thought to give her any as she was still a child, even though there were drugs available for a child undergoing depression. She told them that she would try her best to cure her just with therapy. She however gave them some hypnotics in case she had trouble falling asleep.

Along with her therapy Aditya needed some therapy too as the emotional trauma was too much for him. Zoya stood like a rock for both of them. This continued for many months. Mrinalini opened up to the therapist. She started talking at home as well slowly and steadily. And one day she finally cried and let it all out. That night she slept peacefully. 

Yash spoke to her in front of the therapist and explained to her that she would either have to leave Aditya and Zoya and live with him or vice versa. In both the cases they would visit her regularly. The therapist stated that Mrinalini wasn't healed enough to take this decision without mentally breaking down again.

Yash understood but he had to leave as well. He thought that Mri needed Zoya and Aditya more than she needed him at that moment. Yash spent some days cajoling her and telling her that he would visit her regularly and as soon as it was possible he would shift to India. He left.

Mrinalini started getting better. Of course her pain didn't go but she started to move on in life. Her therapy continued for a year before she was able to live independently again. Her bond with the Hooda's developed more and more.

Yash  resolved his differences with Harsh and Aditya. Yash flew down to India often . He introduced Mri to Shreya but didn't mention that she was his wife , however Mri had become mature in the last two years and she understood that her father needed a companion as well and hence didn't make any fuss about Shreya. 

The family was happy again after a long time. And Zoya soon had news that made the family happier.

to be continued...

A/N

How are you dear readers? Do let me know how you all are . How is the lockdown going on for you ? Is the WFH or School/College from home getting too tiring ? Please take a break every now and then. I hope you all are fine and so are your families. I love you guys a lot.

So the reason I opted for the narration was because I wanted to finish the book now and I didn't want to stretch it and nor did I want it to seem abrupt.  I will write more about this in the last part which is also kind of an epilogue.

Tell me your views on this part.
Loads of love
Cold Dragon