"The court has ordered Shreya and Vijay to be hanged" Nikhil blurted out to Ananya and Priya unexpectantly. 

Ananya and Priya were sitting in the lounge talking together when Nikhil came up to them and blurted it out.

Both of them froze for a second. "My brothers, mums and dads soul can finally rest in peace. They've finally got justice" Ananya said as a lone tear streamed down her cheeks. But Priya was still sitting there expressionless, Nikhil gently pressed Priya's shoulders hoping to get a reaction from her. Priya turned her blood shot eyes towards Nikhil and said "I 'm happy Nikhil, they deserved it. But my only pain is that Sree won't ever be able to see her father or her grand parents ever again ... " and like usual she to went to her room to cry.

As soon as Priya left Ananya went up to Nikhil wrapped her hands around Nikhil's body and cried, Nikhil without thinking caressed her hair but suddenly realisation hit him that his proximity with Ananya was dangerous but he remained there as he knew that some one has had to be near Anu to comfort her. The fact that her parents and brother was killed and the decision of the court to hang them just a lot for Ananya to sink in, Ananya knew that  hanging them is closer to the agony she had to go through and the days she spend in the physiatrist hospital because she was satisfied that they got the maximum punishment. 

Few Days Later

The Varma family plus Ananya was eating their breakfast when Nikhil reminded his family to get ready by 8pm for the New Year party . Ananya smiled awkwardly and she felt out of place as she wasn't invited and imagined to just celebrate it by herself like the past 3 years !!

"Ananya you too get ready by 8pm" Nikhil said surprising Ananya. "No it's fine Nikhil I'll stay here" Ananya replied. "Ananya your not staying here by yourself, your coming with us Nikhil stated this time giving no loops for Ananya to escape.

"But Nikhil I'm not invited to it also technically I am not part of this family !!! " Ananya blurted out  without careful consideration which she regretted the next second. Everyone's face fell hearing what Ananya had just said. "Well technically you are Nikhil's wife because you two haven't divorced yet" Nikhil's grandfather said shocking Ananya. "Daddu I don't know if Nikhil told you this but me and Nikhil divorced three years ago " Ananya replied to Nikhil's and Priya's grandfather. "Well Anu I don't think you've realised that Nikhil never submitted those papers to the court, he ripped those papers one day under the influence of alcohol you two are still legally wedded husband and wife" Daddu said, It was indeed a shock to Ananya however somewhere in her heart she felt content so I still have rights on Nikhil ... Ananya told herself. 

It was indeed a shock for rest of the family as well because everyone else including Ravinath, Parvathy and Priya thought Nikhil had submitted those papers, which is why they kept on nagging Nikhil to move on in life. "This is indeed a shock for us !! Nikhil why didn't you tell anyone this ? More problems would've been made if either you or Anu wanted to move on in life". Nikhil remained quite mainly because he didn't have anything to say. "Ravi don't tell him of" Parvathy said and she continued by saying "It is January the 1st from tomorrow, meaning it is a fresh year with a lot more opportunities, basically the next year you will have 12 fresh chapters and 365 pages. I want all my children to make best use of it, forgive and forget and everything happened in the previous chapters and move on for the best. So Nikhil and Anu by that I mean make use of your time and choose wiser decisions, by that I mean giving another try in your relationship, this time you have no more obstacles like Shreya in your life but I'm not forcing you two to do anything. It completely up to you two how you would like your future to be and Priya I want you to move on in life as well It's already been three years after it and stop dwelling upon the people who have left from this world at least for the sake of Sree Lakshmi. All of us are here in this world for a short period of time, make the best use of it and live life happily, a wise person has once said that 'you can't start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one'. I only want to see my children living happily before I close my eyes including you Anu, I'm not saying marriage is the only thing that keeps you happy but if you want to It can be one of the things that makes you happy in life. Hope I didn't bore my children or anyone else with my lecture". Parvathy said and left, the room was dead quite now, Ananya was able to sense the tension in the room. 

What Parvathy had said touched Nikhil's as well as Ananya's and they glared at each other awkwardly.  In fact Paravthy's words had more of an impact on Priya, of course Varun was still going to be in her heart, she wanted Sree Lakshmi to grow up knowing who her biological father is but at the same time she wants to move on in life too and free herself from the agony and misery she's been going over in life since Varun's death. 

The day flew by and within a blink of an eye it was already 7:30, Ananya got herself dressed into a black designer crop top lehenga and curled the ends of her waist length hair and applied minimal make up, obviously she made extra effort to get ready today for Nikhil, Ananya was determined to create something called LOVE in between them after understanding that Nikhil never submitted those divorce papers, at the end of the day Nikhil cannot completely ignore Ananya as he is responsible for her as much as she is responsible for him. 

Nikhil was going up the stairs to get changed when at the same Ananya was coming down the stairs, Nikhil noticed Ananya and was spell bound seeing Ananya's attire.

She's looking gorgeous today Nikhil thought and he smiled seeing her but immediately hid it so she wouldn't see him smiling, suddenly Ananya slipped on her long lehenga skirt and when she was about to fall Nikhil caught her my her waist, both of them stood like that for God knows how long staring onto each others eyes. Suddenly they heard someone clearing their throat, immediately they realised their position and moved away from each other. "Is this a Bollywood film ? " Priya asked  Nikhil and Ananya laughing whose faces were bright red now due to embarrassment.

Daddu wasn't coming today because of his health issues therefore Ravinath decided to stay home to look after Daddu and Sree Lakshmi. Priya didn't want to take Sree to the event as many people were attending the event and all Sree is going to do is show a tantrum and also from previous experiences she knows the place isn't a child friendly area. It was after a long time that Priya was actually going to attend a party this big after a lot of convincing, she dressed herself into a elegant, long of shoulder dress and let her hair loose. Priya and Anu was giggling just as if they were some teenagers and taking pictures non stop, both were soo happy especially after knowing that Shreya and Vijay got the punishment they deserved, however, one questioned that troubled Ananya was what happened to Shreya's and Vijay's child ? But Shreya was a topic that Nikhil had strictly banned about mentioning ever again. 

Soon Nikhil arrived in his typical suit with his hair all jelled up, his beard was complimenting his looks today !! Soon Parvathy, Ananya, Priya and Nikhil set of, after around 20 minutes of drive they reached the place. It was a very grand place and obviously media was present as high profile people, few celebrities and many influential people were attending the party. Immediately Ananya started to fell self conscious all of a sudden, of course she has coordinated events of famous personalities in Bangalore but it was different today, she wasn't sure if she will be able to match other people's levels .... 

Understanding Ananya's nervousness Nikhil helped her get out of the car and squeezed her hand assuring her that it's going to be fine, the media did evidently clicked their pictures but luckily they didn't get as much attention as some people do. Nikhil was a very private person therefore his personal life was never revealed to the media so the media never approached him as he's never made an opportunity for gossips. Soon they entered the massive place which was filled with loud music and other loud noises of people talking etc. As soon as they entered that place Ananya knew that it wasn't somewhere Ananya really wanted to spend her new years ! 

Instantaneously Ananya heard someone calling her "ANU" when they all looked back to see who it is they saw a handsome, well built and tall person coming over, Nikhil noticed Ananya's eyes twinkle with happiness seeing that person ... 

Who is he ? .......... Nikhil thought in his mind 

The next thing Nikhil saw is the person and Ananya hugging each other, It would be wrong to say that Nikhil wasn't jealous seeing that view. "This is Siddarth my friend" Ananya introduced Siddarth to Nikhil, Priya and Parvathy. 

"Sid this is Nikhil, Priya and Parvathy ma, you know them don't you ?" Ananya asked him 

"Nice meet all of you !! I know all of you from from Ananya, I'm one of her closest friends and know almost everything happened in her life" Siddarth said 

Why does he know everything about my wife Nikhil thought in his mind, abruptly Nikhil left the conversation and went up to some one else leaving them. Parvathy too left when she saw her friends leaving Priya and Siddarth and Ananya alone. "He was with me when I pursuing my bachelors in Kerala before I went to London" Ananya said to Priya. "Then we kind of lost contact but then I saw him after my marriage with Nikhil and rekindled our friendship", soon they started talking to each other more and Priya started to get comfortable speaking to SID . "Anu how about we go for a dance ? Do you mind if I nick Ananya for a bit", "of course I don't" Priya replied and she proceeded to her mother. 

 As Ananya and Siddarth were dancing Nikhil noticed them dancing and immediately his mind started getting filled with jealousy, "how dare he get this close to my wife " Nikhil thought and tightened his fist. Nikhil couldn't watch this longer anymore so he went to the dance floor and asked Siddarth "can I dance with my wife Siddarth if you don't mind ?", "please go ahead" Siddarth replied hesitantly and left the area. 

"Happy to hear that your at least acknowledging me as your wife" Ananya said to Nikhil, he stood their expressionless, he couldn't get out of the situation now, he had to dance. Slowly he placed his hands around Ananya's and started dancing slowly, obviously the proximity was creating an effect in them, but Ananya's was happy because of Nikhil's positive move, to which felt like years for Nikhil the song finally came to an end and they both walked out together, few people came up to them and what made Ananya's the happiest was him introducing Ananya as his wife to everyone. 

This guy is really confusing Ananya thought in her mind because the other day he rejected her saying he can't give it a try anymore and now he is introducing her as his wife to everyone. Maybe is he actually giving this marriage a try ? 

Soon Ananya got bored hearing their official talks so moved away from Nikhil and wondered around the place looking for Priya, Parvathy or Sid. She noticed Parvathy at the far end talking to a group of women who looked around her age, Ananya went up to them and Parvathy introduced Ananya to everyone but Ananya found it a bit boring she excused herself from the group and again started wondering around, surprisingly she saw Priya dancing with Siddarth ! It was indeed a shock for Ananya ...... But she convinced herself that it was only a dance and nothing else ....

Soon it was nearly time for the countdown Nikhil, Priya, Ananya and Parvathy stood together and participated in the countdown !!

10 

9 

8 

7

6

5

4

3

2

1 

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!!    Every screamed.... 

"Happy New Year Nikhil, may the next year only bring you joy and happiness " Ananya wished him and to that Nikhil politely wished her back. Suddenly Priya's face fell, "what happened Priya ?" Ananya asked her concerningly. "I'm missing Sree, Anu, It's the first new years I haven't celebrated after her birth. Normally it's just us two...". "We can go home Priya, I'm a bit bored here as well. Are you coming mom and Ananya ?", "Yes we are they both replied in unison", Ananya was getting a bit bored here as well mainly because she was never a party person and this party was overwhelming her a bit.  

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"IF YOU DON'T LEAVE YOUR PAST IN THE PAST, IT WILL DESTROY THE FUTURE. LIVE FOR WHAT TODAY HAS TO OFFER, NOT FOR YESTERDAY HAS TAKEN AWAY" 

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How was this chapter guys ? Hope you have all enjoyed it !!!! 

Please let me know your reviews !!!!!! And what you liked the best in this chapter !! 

Ananya and Nikhil are inching closer aren't they ? Opinion on Siddarth ? Will Priya ever manage to find a new life ? 

I have attached Anu's lehenga at the top 

please ignore the grammatical issues :) 

Will come with another chapter soon :) 

Thank you