I was hugging him tightly, I did not wanted to free him at any cost. Tears brimmed down my eyes. I was crying silent on his shoulder. He asked "mannu kya hua? Tum ro rahi ho?" the concern for me was clearly visible in his voice.

I made up the excuse hiding the truth "Papa I missed you and mumma too, ek hafta nahi rah paayi aap dono ke bina. Aur kuch dino baad kaise jaungi aap dono ko chodke?" I asked tightening my grip on him.

He smeared my head and said "we missed you too, ab rona band karo ghar chalo tumhari mumma pareshan ho rahi hai kabse. "

I seperated from hug and looked at it, I removed my glasses and smiled "kyun mujhe kya hua jo wo pareshan ho rahi hai?"

"Wo tum unse hi puchna ab ghar chalo baaki baatein waha" He said.

I nodded positively , I picked up my bag and left with him holding his hand. I was walking to the car keeping my head on his shoulder.

He asked "mannu sab thik hai na?"

"Haan papa sab thik hai bas I am tired" I replied in assuring tone. He seemed to be satisfied with my reply.

We reached the car, I sat in front seat. He kept the luggage and came to driver's side. I smiled and said "Chalo na Papa"

"Haan chalte hai" he said and dozed off. I was silent, which usually was not my routine.

He asked "kya baat hai itni chup kyun ho?"

I turned to him and said "practice karlo aap kuch dino mein aisa hi hoga"

He glanced at me and I smiled lightly. I began speaking trying to be normal but it was difficult still I did it.

We arrived home, I hopped off the car and ran into the house shouting "mumma I am back"

Vineet smiled hearing this and brushed off his thoughts.

"Abhi tak iski bidayi hui nahi, toh main itna pareshan hun, jab chali jayegi, tab na jaane kya hoga? " he thought and followed me asking a servant to bring in the luggage.

Ruhana came out of the room, I rushed to her and hugged her tightly "I missed you so much" I said.

She kissed my head and said "I missed you too.. kaise ho tum? Sab thik hai na?"

I looked up at her and nodded with the light smile "haan mumma sab thik hai I am perfectly fine"

There was a mark on my neck, she noticed it and asked "ye kya hua gardan pe?"

I replied "Are wo flight mein sote hue aayi hun na isliye ho gaya hoga.."

She eyed me doubtfully she asked "mannu sach mein tu thik hai?"

I looked at her silently for a while, her questions were reminding me of the pain I had to bear in Delhi. I still nodded positively "yes mumma I am fine tension mat lo aap"

Vineet entered inside and said "haan Ruhana! Ab wo khud kah rahi hai ki wo thik hai toh maan lo na"

She smiled and pats my head "jao jaake fresh ho jao main khana laga deti hun"

I asked excitedly "kya banaya hai?"

"chole bhature" she spoke.

My face glowed hearing this "yummy.. main abhi aati hun" and rushed upstairs to my room.

She shouted "Sambhal Ke gir jaogi"

"nahi girungi" I said and then moved to the room. I closed the door and sat on the floor bursting out into tears.

It is not easy for me to hide my sufferings from them but I had to do. I composed myself after some moments and then freshened up. I changed to casuals and moved downstairs for the lunch.

I hopped on to the my favourite chair, on top of the chair had a small cute little teddy attached. My father specially got the chair as he knows well how much I love teddies.

He was sitting opposite me, he said "pata hai ek hafta ye chair dekhte they hum.. tum nahi thi yahan toh"

I smiled and said "ab aa gayi hun na main.."

My mother said "haan fir jaane ke liye"

She was standing beside him, I hugged her from waist and said "Aap kaho toh nahi jaati"

"aise kaise? Shaadi toh karni padegi na.. Aarav ne kaha hai jab bhi tumhe hamari yaad aayegi tum yahan aa jaogi" she replied.

She was praising the wicked man who is currently blackmailing me and playing with my soul. Was my parents at fault in selecting the life partner for me? Or was he being a good actor since beginning. I asked my father "papa aap Aarav ke papa ko kabse jante ho?"

"5 saalo se kyun?" he replied and questioned me.

"nahi bas aise hi puch rahi thi aur Aarav?" I questioned.

"kaafi baar usko business meetings mein dekha tha baat chit hui thi..maine socha achi family se belong karta hai jaane pehchane wali family hai toh problem nhi hogi" he said.

Ruhana glanced at me and asked "kuch hua tum dono ke beech?"

I nodded negatively "nahi mumma bus aise hi pucha maine.." I replied.

"acha chal khana kha" Ruhana said.

I began eating, Vineet asked "Manvi date kaisi rahi Aarav ke saath?"

I replied "Achi thi papa.. bahut maza kiya"

Just then the manager came to Vineet and handed him something. He smiled looking at it.

I asked "kya hai papa?"

"shaadi ke cards aa gaye hai Manvi.. dekho" he pushed one of the card towards me.

I stared at it, read the name Manvi weds Aarav. I wanted to feel special as the wedding happens once in life and it is the beautiful experience but my would be husband ruined my happiness and excitement. I looked in front my parents were discussing something with much excitement.

"nahi Vineet hum zyada guests ko nahi bulayenge.." Ruhana said.

"no.. Ruhana shahar se sabse bade businessman ki eklauti beti ki shaadi hai aur guests na aaye.. aisa nhi hoga it will be grand wedding koi nahi bhulega" Vineet said.

"haan haan thik hai lekin theme main decide kar chuki hun samjhe no changes in them" Ruhana said in warning tone.

"haan thik hai tum dekhlo.. acha main office jaata hun urgent meeting hai" he said.

"ye kya hai Vineet? Ghar mein shaadi hai aur tum office ke kaam mein" Ruhana complained.

"Roo.. isliye toh abhi kaam khatam kar raha hun jaldi. You just don't worry" he said and left.

Ruhana turned towards me and found me lost somewhere, she came and sat on the chair beside me. She held my hand and I looked at her.

She was looking at me keenly "mannu.. mujhe aisa lag raha hai jaise tum pareshan ho? Aur shayad apne papa ke saamne nahi kah paa rahi thi ab batao mujhe. Kuch hua kya Delhi mein? Aarav ne kuch kiya. " she said.

Yes, I wanted to share everything with her but I was scared. Should I tell her the truth? How will she react? Will my fear come true? I opened my mouth to say something "mumma main.. wo Aara.." before I could say my phone beeped.

It was ringing again and again, Ruhana saw it and smiled "Aarav ka phone hai baat karlo.. hum iske baad baat karte hai"

I nodded, I swiped the screen and attached the phone to my ear. "hello" I said.

"Sach batane waali ho apni maa ko?" he said.

I was shocked how he got to know this, I could not react in front of her. He said "zara soch lena sach batane se pehle. main jab chahe yeh shaadi tod sakta hun fir tumhare papa ki izzat ki dhajiya to udengi hi.. business mein bhi nuksan uthana padega unhe.."he said wickedly.

I ended the call immediately, I was again frightened with his words. Ruhana asked "kya kah raha tha wo? Tumne toh kuch kaha hi nahi?"

"kuch nahi mumma bas kah raha tha kal milega mujhse" I replied composing myself.

"Acha.. ab batao kya baat hai?" she asked.

"kuch bhi toh nahi hai mumma.. bas aapko chodke jaane ka mann nhi kar raha" I replied while keeping my head on her lap. She caressed my head and a tear escaped down my eyes.

She kissed my head and said "jab mann ho hamare paas aa jana tum. Nahi toh main khud aa jaungi tujhse milne.."

I nodded and was lost in my thoughts.