"Should I keep this one too?" Asked Ira, showing a grey sweater to Ehan, who laid on bed beside an open suit case, into which Ira was packing his clothes.

"Hmmm" he hummed, staring at her who wasn't meeting his eyes.

She pulled out a paper bag from her college bag, and took out some medicines, a bottle of lotion and another tiny bottle of oily fluid.

"Here, I'm packing these medicines just in case of any emergency. In case you accidentally consume anything which contain peanut, take this tablet as soon as possible" she showed him the tablets, meeting his eyes for a brief second and then pointed at the lotion, and said, "It should be applied over the rashes and..."

"I'm attending the party just because you want me to, Ira. I won't go if you're not okay with it" he cut her off, making her suck a sharp breathe.

She shook her head as no, a gulp in her throat not letting her speak. He sat up straight, letting his legs touch the floor.

"Come here" he forwarded his hand. She, still not meeting his eyes, placed her hand over his and neared him.

"You can tell me what's bothering you. You know that, right?" He asked, making her sit on his lap.

"Will you be back to me?" She asked in a small voice, letting out the tears she held within her since the second Ehan said that he was ready to give his parents a chance, as she wished him to.

"Ofcourse, I will" He hissed, as she hugged him choking a sob. Rubbing her back, he nuzzled into her hair and kissed it, trying to calm her down.

"Look at me" he tried to break the hug but she didn't let go, holding him even more tighter.

"Ira, look at me baby" he gently pulled away and cupped her face with both hands. Fresh set of tears rolled down her cheeks as he painfully looked into her eyes. Wiping the tears with his thumbs, he cooed, "Shh.. calm dowm. Just calm down"

She wiped her cheeks with the back of her hands, trying to stop crying.

Pulling a little more closer, Ehan spoke softly, "Ira, you're my home. No matter where I go, I will be back to you. I reside with you, in you. There's no way you're gonna lose me" He pressed on every word he says, meaning it with all his heart.

She held his hands over her cheeks and said, "I'm scared, Ehan. What if your parents ask you to stay with them, forever?"

"There's no way such a thing is gonna happen. I assure you"

"But what if.."

"No way, Ira"

She shook her head in negative, breaking down again.

"Even if they say so, you think I'll stay there? Never, love. I'll be back to you. You know why?" He asked, his tone as soft as if he was speaking to a baby.

"Why?" She asked in a tiny voice.

"Because you're my peace, contentment of my heart" he confessed, hitting his head over hers, making a little smile appear on her lips.

"I love you, Ehan" she hugged him again, burying her face in his neck.

"How much?" He asked, trying to lighten up her mood.

"This much..." She was quick to break the hug and spread her hands wide.

He chuckled loudly, pulling her back to hug her tighter. "I love you too. More than you could ever imagine" he whispered, kissing her hair.

---

As much as Ira tried not to get emotional when Ehan was leaving, she couldn't hold herself. The arrangements for his visit to Manchester, where his reside was made by Lawyer Smith.

"I'll be back in a day, okay?" Ehan asked in whispers, holding her close to himself.

She nodded as okay but her twinkling eyes with tears made his heart sour. He pressed a hard kiss on her forehead, making her tears fall out of her eyes. She quickly wiped them and forced a smile. Taking her hand in his, he kissed her knuckles, taking steps back.

She waved him bye, smiling as best as she could.

A driver held the car door open for him. Ehan slipped in, his eyes glued to Ira. They kept staring at eachother until the driver started the engine and drove away, tearing their eyes from eachother.

Ira choked a sob as soon as the car went out of sight. She became used to being with Ehan around her all the time and it probably was he first time in those years of their relationship he was going out of station, leaving her alone. Her heart was trembling with fear. She wanted to stop him but keeping her faith in Ehan's love and words, she let him go.

On the other side, Ehan blinked back his tears, resting his head against the head rest. He had no idea nor any wish to attend his parents wedding anniversary. But Ira's words made him think and decide otherwise. He wanted to know the real reason behind the sudden invite. He wanted to know the motive of his parents and for once, he wanted to hear their reasons behind them leaving him all alone for years.

He wanted to put an end to every misery he has been through, for once and all.

---

As Ehan entered the premises of his elegantly built house, he felt nostalgic. The huge main gates were opened as soon as the car made its way in. His eyes roamed around to take in the place. It was dark already but the number of lights around has kept it brightly illuminated. The huge garden covered with beautiful trees and flowers on the either side of the road, which directed towards the mansion, standing proudly at the centre. The memories of the place was not strong but it was definitely was there, making Ehan feel nostalgic.

He clasped his hands together and held tightly. His heart trembling in his ribcage as his own cries rung in his ears as the car moved towards the mansion. He eyes glued to the main door from where he was dragged out every year to sent him back to hostel.

The car came to halt, stopping by the main door. He sucked in a sharp shaky breathe, preparing himself to be strong. He didn't see when the driver stepped down and opened the door for him.

Gulping the lump formed in his throat, he stepped down, his eyes blankly staring at the door from where he was suppose to walk in. Many disturbing thoughts erupting in him, making him want to run away and never to come back. But he know, it was too late. He managed to bring himself to the place he thought he would never step in after he realised his value in his parents life.

He was here for a purpose.

The purpose of knowing the reason of knowing behind the negligence he recieved all through his life. As soon as he'll find it out, he'll be gone back to Ira; forever.

"Excuse sir?" A voice pulled him out of his thoughts, making him turn his head and look at the servant, wearing a black and white uniform, who stood in attention, staring at him with a straight face.

"May I know who you are?" He asked in a polite yet monotonous tone.

Before Ehan could reply, another voice beat him to it. "Sir... Ehan sir?" The old voice was slightly shaky yet monotonous and polite.

Ehan said yes with a single nod, taking in the appearance of the old man, who was similarly dressed as the servants. His face was wrinkly and he appeared thin yet strong. Ehan noticed his name badge which read 'Steve'.

A small smile appeared on the old servant's lips as he looked at Ehan, as if looking at some loving one after a long time.

"Welcome home, sir. Tony, get sirs bags" he did a slight bow to Ehan and commanded to the younger servant.

"Please" he stepped aside, giving Ehan way to enter.

Ehan nervously walked in, trying his best to keep himself calm and composed. He looked at the spacious hall, double in size of his own mansion. White walls, which held some rare elegant paintings. There was three sections of the hall, designed differently. All the sections had sitting areas differently according to the way it was designed. Ehan faintly remembered himself running from the third section towards the first one, where usually his Dad sits with his friends and discuss business but he was restricted there itself by servant, as per the instructions they were given.

"Nobody's home right now, sir. But I'll inform Ma'am about your arrival. She be here in a few minutes" Steve informed, leading him in.

Ehan nodded in response, looking at the glass stairs towards his left, which leads to his parents rooms. He remembered sitting on those stairs for hours, waiting for his Mom to be back from work or party so he could have dinner with her.

"This way, sir" Steve's said, stopping him from moving towards the stairs.

Ehan carefully looked at Steve and recognised him. He was the same person, who was given the duty to keep him away whenever there's a get to together takes place. He was the one who used to stop him and hands him back to his nanny, from whom Ehan tries to escape all the time.

A small smile tugged Ehan's lips, as he looked at the old man who was young back then and used to runs behind him all the time, trying to catch and stop him from becoming a prey to his Dad's anger. Ehan used to get annoyed of Steve back then but now he understood, he was trying to save him.

Steve smiled back, widely. He lead him the way to his room, walking excitedly. They climbed up a stair case at their right and walked passed a few closed doors but at one door, Ehan stopped for a second. It was his brother, Ansh's room.

"I have cleaned your room, sir. Please tell me if you need anything. I'm right a call away" Ehan looked at Steve, who walked ahead speaking formally but there was an excitement hidden in his tone. Excitement of having the naughty kid back in the house. Only if he know, Ehan was no more a kid nor the naughty one he used to be. His innocence was crushed and laughter, muffled.

"Thank you, Steve" Ehan mumbled behind him, as he pushed the door open to his room.

It was dark, just the way he left it. Steve was quick to step in and turn the lights on. Once the place was lightened up, Ehan looked at the place, where he stayed locked up for hours everyday.

The walls were creamy, matching the couch and study table. But the accent wall behind the bed was grey, matching with the marbled floor. An off white carpet spread over the partial area around the bed. Leaving some space from the bedside area, there was a sitting area at the right side, containing sofas and a coffee table. The study table was beside the large French windows. On the left side of the room, there was another room, which contained a green room, inside which was an attached bathroom.

The servant, Tony entered behind them and placed Ehan's suitcase in a corner and left.

"I'll see if you're dinner is ready, sir" Steve said, turning to leave.

"No, Steve. I'm not hungry" Ehan said, making his smile disappear.

He looked like he wanted to say something, opening his mouth and gaping like a fish.

"I'm fine" Ehan forced a smile, making him hesitantly nod and leave.

He sighed loudly as the door closed behind Steve. He looked around the room once again, shutting his eyes at the flood of memories.

Feeling restless, he pulled his mobile out to call Ira. He sat on bed, touching her name on the screen, when his eyes landed on a photograph of himself with his Mom kissing his head, placed on the nightstand. He stretched his hand to pick it up but stopped as Ira picked up the call in a single ring.

"Ehan..." Her voice brought him an instant relief. He closed his eyes, calming his restless mind.

"You reached there?" She asked. He could say from her voice that she was trying not to cry.

"Hmm.." he nodded, as if she could see him.

"Are you okay?" She carefully asked, sensing his off mood.

"No, I'm not. I'm feeling like leaving this place this instant and run back to you"

As much as she wished to tell him, to do that right away, she refrained herself.

"Take some time, Ehan. You'll be alright. Talk to your parents. You'll feel better" she suggested, hugging Hunny bunny to herself.

"No one's home" he stated, throwing a glance at the photo frame.

Ira narrowed her eyes. She thought Ehan must have got a warm welcome atleast from his Mom. But the scenario looked entirely different now.

Ehan rubbed his temples as he said, "I don't wanna stay here, Ira. It's suffocati..." He stopped mid sentence, hearing something break outside. The noise was loud enough that even Ira heard it. Ehan's eyes snapped at the door, from where the sound came.

"What's that? Ehan, are you alright?" She asked in worry. He stood up, making his way to the door.

"Yeah! I'm fine. I'll call you back in a minute" he said, hanging up.

He pulled the door open and stepped outside, his eyes wandering around to find someone. He heard another thud from downstairs and he quickly walked towards it.

He stopped when he reached the stairs. A man neatly dressed in formals, sat on the floor, struggling to stand up. He was looking down. Hence, Ehan couldn't see his face. But with his fit body structure and ruffled hair, Ehan could make out that it's none other than Ansh, his brother.

"Sir, are you okay? Lemme help you, sir" A servant hesitantly neared him, trying to grab his arm.

"Stay... Stay away you stinky piece of sh*t. I can manage" roared the man, pushing the servant away.

He stood up with difficulty and took a step to the first stair, only to stumble back. Another servant held him before he kissed the floor.

"Leave me, I said" he pushed the guy, who stumbled back.

Ehan, who was silently watching everything couldn't take it anymore and rushed downstairs. As he reached the last step, Ansh looked upon him. His red eyes and unsteady body showing how heavily intoxicated he is.

"Who are you, man?" He asked, trying to look at Ehan with as wide eyes as he could. He unknowingly took a step back and stumbled again, this time Ehan held his hand to prevent him from falling.

"Wait. I have seen you somewhere" he said nearing his face to Ehan's, thinking harder as kept staring at him.

Ehan felt like throwing up as the strong odour of alcohol hit his nostrils. He let go of his hand and stepped away, feeling disgusted.

His brother, who was still trying to think, held the railing for support.

"Dad?" He clicked his fingers, nearing Ehan again.

"It's... It's you, Dad. I got it" he stammered, pointing at Ehan with a laugh.

"But... How come you look so younger all of the sudden? What did you do to yourself?" He held Ehan's shoulders, examining his face.

"You had a magic drink, didn't you?" He laughed hysterically, pointing his index finger at Ehan.

Jerking his hands away with disgust, Ehan unwillingly held him to make him stand steady. The servants who were helping him before helped him again in dragging him upstairs, who couldn't stop asking Ehan about the secret he used to transform himself to become younger in a few hours.

With great difficulty, they reached his room and with a thud, dropped him on the bed. A servant removed his shoes as he continued speaking to Ehan.

"I love you Dad. I love you... so much. You know, you're great" Ehan struggled to free himself from his drunk brother's grip. He heard faint foot steps behind him, which turned louder with every step. Finally, he let go of his hand and fell asleep and that's when Ehan heard a gasp behind him.

"Ansh" his head snapped in the direction of the door, where stood his mother. Her concerned eyes fixed at the unconscious person on bed.

"Baby..." Ehan's heart clenched painfully as he heard the loving word. She used to call him by that word when he was a kid. His eyes pricked tears as she made her way to him. He could feel himself shiver. The anger, hate and pain he had in him flew away in a nano second. At that moment, all he wanted was to hug his Mom. He has longed since years for it.

He trance broke into millions of pieces when she didn't even spared him a glance and walked past him, running to her elder son.

She sat beside him, touching his face with concern. Sighing, he rubbed her temples and shook her head in agony. After a few seconds, she pulled the duvet over him and finally, turned to Ehan, sensing someone's presence behind her.

Her eyes narrowed as soon as they met the twinkling ones. She took her time in carefully looking at the stranger yet a similar person in a dimly lighted room. Ehan looked elsewhere, blinking his eyes vigorously.

"Ehan" she gasped, as if she couldn't belive her eyes.

As she stood up, Ehan left the room, not sparing her a glance.

"Baby, listen..."

He could hear her heels click behind him as he made his way to his room. He left the door open and walked inside.

"Oh my God! Is it actually you? My baby" she let out a laugh mixed with a cry, running to him and holding him by both his arms.

He sucked in a sharp breathe, not wanting to break down. She touched his face, cupping his cheeks with her shivering cold hands. That's when Ehan looked in her eyes, which were flowing without any hesitation. She looked just the way she was, years ago; beautiful.

"I'm so happy to see you" she cried and pulled him for a hug.

Ehan was completely blank. There were many things going on within him yet he felt blank. A part of him wanted to let go of all the ill will he had against her and hug her back whilst another part refrained him from doing so, reminiscing the times he wailed to live the moment he's being given now.

Before he could decide whether to hug her back or push her away, his Mom broke the hug, cupping his cheeks yet again.

"You've grown up so much. My Little baby" her tears looked genuine and so does her words.

"Ah! You look so much like your father. A younger version of him" she laughed, looking up at him so lovingly.

"I'll just call him and inform that you're here. He'll be glad" she said, wiping her tears. Pulling her mobile out of her purse, she went out, smiling all the way.

Ehan just stood looking at her. He couldn't understand a thing. Her concerned side looked as genuine as her careless one. He wondered which one was real.

She was back in a minute, still smiling widely.

"Abhi is on the way already. He will be back by tomorrow. Actually, he has gone to India for some work. He was so happy to know that you're here" she said, sitting on the bed whereas Ehan stood aside, maintaining a straight face.

"Why are you standing afar? Sit here sweetheart" she said, pulling him to sit beside her.

He sat uncomfortably, looking ahead of himself, rubbing his fingers together. Suffocation would be an understatement to what he was feeling at that moment.

"How are you, Ehan?" His mom's voice shivered as she asked him the question she didn't bothered asking in the past years.

He kept quiet, not finding himself answer her, resting his elbow on his thigh and staring ahead.

"You know how proud you make me and your father everyday with your achievements" she said, fighting the urge to cry again.

"Abhi was completely surprised when he first heard that you scored the highest among your classmates, as you told me while leaving. Even I couldn't believe you kept your promise"

"Why didn't you did the same?" He wanted to ask but remained quiet, fighting the inner battle of suppressing the emotions within.

"Everytime lawyer Smith would report us about you, we were so overwhelmed. I can't even describe how happy I am to finally have you back" she choked a sob, making Ehan shut his eyes tight in frustration.

"Say something, baby. I'm the only one speaking here. Didn't you missed your Mamma?"

His fingers curled into a first and jaw clenched.

Missed?

He nearly died every moment in those years.

"I wanna make a call. Please excuse me" he said in a whisper, standing up.

The smile on her face faded. His dry words were nothing but a pang of hurt over her heart.

Still, forcing a smile she said, "Yeah! Sure. I'll leave. Will see you in the morning. Hopefully, your Dad will be here by then" she stood infront of him, trying to study his face.

When he didn't said a word nor reacted, she caressed his cheek with her thumb, just the way she used to do when he was little.

"You must be tired. Have some rest. Good night"

He remained quiet until she smiled again and made her way out, closing the door behind.

He let out a groan of frustration as soon as she was gone and kicked the bedside table beside him. He could understand nothing, totally nothing.

Sitting on the bed with a soft thud, he held his head in between his hands, feeling extremely annoyed and frustrated.

He pulled his mobile out of his pocket and checked the time. It was midnight already.

"She must be asleep by now" he whispered, not wanting to disturb Ira's sleep but little did he know that she was wide awake, talking to Hunny bunny and to the photo frame he gifted her, waiting for his call. Sleep was far away from her eyes as the fear of losing him remained in her heart.

Not finding any way to calm himself, Ehan decided to go for a warm shower. He pulled his suitcase and took out a pair of fresh clothes. He took a relaxing shower and felt fresh and better than before.

Dabbing his wet hair with a towel, he typed a quick message to Ira. What he didn't expect was a call in return.

"Hey, love. Did I disturbed you?" He asked, feeling sorry for waking her up.

"Not at all, Ehan. I was waiting for your call" she said, sounding slightly better than before.

"I'm sorry, Ira. I thought you'll be asleep. So I refrained myself from calling you" he explained.

They both talked for a few minutes, lying comfortably on their respective beds. He told her about his bother as well as about meeting his Mom. She asked him to keep calm and try not to burst out. As they went on talking, Ira's voice went faint and within few minutes she was asleep.

He smiled, kissing one of her photos in his mobile. Keeping the phone on the night stand, he tried to sleep, but it wasn't easy. He tried for some time but looked like he was back to his old insomniac self.

Sighing, he took out a pouch from his bag, which contained some emergency medicines packed by Ira. Unknown to her, he kept a few more tablets into it. He had the slight idea that he wouldn't be able to fall asleep at his parents place and it turned out to be right.

He thought for a second, whether to take the tablet with heavy dosage or the mild ones doctor prescribed him. He wanted to go with the heavy one but keeping in mind that it's not really safe, he went on with the mild one, which took a long time to work but he eventually feel asleep, unknown to what a new day would bring for him.

---

Assalamualaikum everyone,

How was the chapter?

Did Ehan do right by deciding to visit his parents?

What are your thoughts on his brother, Ansh?

What do you think of his mother?

How are you expecting his Dad to be?

Do you think Ehan will be able to know his parents' reasons behind leaving him all to himself for years?

Do lemme know your views and don't forget to hit the 🌟

Ps: I was interviewed by the amazing AllArt_OnePlace

Do check it out :)