Bonjour!
How are y'all?

"Being a businesswoman alongside performing all motherly duties, isn't an easy job,Avyakta. I feel when you are a mother that to of a toddler, it ask your attention alot, take any profession.
One needs to balance everything. Home as well as profession.

And..You know how our society works..huh!"
Ruchi sighed while stuffing the clothes in her travelling bag. While, beside her stood, Avyakta, who did the same.

"Hmm..I can understand di!"
Spoke Avyakta.

"You know..
Things were really tough, when Sanyukta was born. My MIL didn't support me much, wanted me to stay at home always and look after my child. Though, for a year,I took leave from my work but...for how long could I.

I didn't want to overburden Abhay. One person could not handle everything. Plus, my profession, soon became my passion.

At that time, things were really messed up. Like really, messed up.."
With a dejected face, Ruchi looked down. Avyakta was quite surprised to find the ever- chirping Ruchi,such serious. She felt her, and looked her with sympathy, while keeping herself busy with folding clothes.

"Though, we lived along with my In-laws but you know na, Conspiracy changes everything. Abhay and me though, still had our company in our hands but...the stress we had in our home due to the fights,between the brothers courtesy MIL, made us to live in a seperate house.

That period was so..frustrating for me..I didn't want to indulge my family in this matter..

But see,
Everything is normal now. Though we live in a seperate house but..changes are part of life. And I'm trying to bring the seperated brothers together again.
Life is like this only.. We don't know when and how things get change. But..adapting ourselves with it,makes us feel less tensed.."
Avyakta, kept her hand on her shoulder, giving her an assuring smile. She knew, people in this world,besides her,have problems greater than her, pains greater than her. She thanked to the Almighty that with her, she had her family always, who never left her back.

Soon, the eerie and monotonous cries hit the ladies' ears.
They looked towards the bed to find out the little Sanyukta awake. Assuring her, Avyakta ran towards the little toddler before Ruchi could.

Avyakta took her in her hands and cradled her. She ruffled her hair and made her sit on her lap, cooing her in this process. She would smile, and made her laugh,making funny faces. Sanyukta got quiet soon and this made Ruchi,surprised. With her big,doe eyes, the little girl looked at Avyakta who made her relaxed by now. A sigh of relief escaped her mouth.

Seeing the duo, with adoration,Ruchi smiled. The tender love a mother have for her child,was delicately delivered to her through the scene infront of her. She was engulfed in sympathy and despondency as well for the lady infornt of her. Something, that was snatched away disgustingly from Avyakta.

"Mumma! Mumma!
See. Avu..She lost her signal. Isn't speaking!"
Ruchi was brought back with Sanyukta's giggles while, at her words Avyakta widened her eyes. Avyakta,took her messed up hair in her hold and made a small ponytail.

"Sanyukta. You are speaking alot nowadays..."
She began scolding Sanyukta, at her incoherent words. Though, it was need of the hour according to Ruchi, while Avyakta didn't deny this fact. To save herself from her mother's wrath, she shifted closer to Avyakta. Pressing herself more into her,she hugged her. While, a current of an unknown feeling ran down her spine. She smiled and heard her murmering under her beathe.

Ruchi haulted and looked at them. She sided all the items kept on her bed and sat infront of them.
"Avyakta..
Tell me, you love kids?"

"A lot!"
She whispered,smiling. Patting her head and asking Sanyukta to look up, she made her sit straight. Sanyukta looked at her mother and jumped on her lap, as soon as a soft smile drew up on her mother's face. She kissed her.
"Mumma! I saw a bad dream and cried..
And there you scold me..So mean!"

"Aww..so sorry my dear! But, you should have manners as to how to speak with your mumma,understand?"
Sanyukta nodded and Ruchi  kissed her head,affectionately.
While,Avyakta adorned them.

Sanyukta's gaze fell on the things layed on the bed and frowned.
To clear her confusion, Ruchi told her about their departure back to their home, in Mumbai. With this, she grew sad and asked her the reason.

"Beta, Mumma and Papa, both had to complete their office work. Plus, we have to admit you in a school ,you are much grown up to go to a playschool. "
Ruchi played with her tiny palms.
Sanyukta made a long face and pouted. Holding Avyakta's hand in hers,she made a crying face.
"Avu..Mami..
Speak to Mumma Papa, that I want to live here with you, with Sid,Mama..
I don't have anyone there with me..to play..tch!"
She pouted and Avyakta got up,when something clicked her head. She knew how to make the reluctant child infront of her, happy for sometime.
She went back to her room and returned with a packet in her hand. Confused, the mother and Daughter's duo looked at her. She composed herself at her formal place and taking out a box,she handed to her.
She hurriedly, excitedly opened the box to find a colourful, kid's watch. Her happiness knew no bounds.

Sanyukta wore it and delighted, allured her watch. She hugged her and thanked.
"How did you know, that I wanted a watch?"

"Mmmm.. The way you eavesdrop mine and Siddhant's conversation, the same way we did your and your mother's."
Avyakta chuckled while keeping her palms on her mouth,she tried to stiffle her laughter.
Meanwhile, she was busy in checking out adorably,at her watch,Avyakta took out a box and handed it to Ruchi.
A box which had few shiny bangles in it.
"So beautiful! So very beautiful!
Avyakta.. Thank you so much but..their was no ne-"

"Shh.. What no need?
Take it as a small gift from your friend. You forgot,hun?
We wanted to give you. Though,still it's a small gift but a gift is a gift."

Wearing the bangles ,something drew her attention.
"We..Who?"

"Uhmm..Me and Siddhant."
Ruchi had a mischievous smile while Avyakta felt little shy.

"So, you did this shopping,together?"
Avyakta nodded with a stiffled smile and bit her lips. Sanyukta and Ruchi, were fascinated with their things,respectively,while group hugging as a thanks to Avyakta.

"I think..Talks are enough. We have our flight tomorrow, itself.
Holidays are over now, madam.
Let's get back to work!"
The trio stood up and laughing, marched towards the messed up things on the bed.

.
.
.
.
.

He kept the bag on the upper chamber on the taxi. Turning around, he saw Abhay and hugged him.
"Siddhant, Buddy!
Bye..Will meet you soon,yaar!
I'll miss you.."
Breaking a long best friend hug,they looked at each other.
"Happy to see you back this way. For sometime, I thought I lost my Best buddy..huh! Well, time changed..
But..keep yourself happy like this, This relaxes me."
He smiled at him and Siddhant, smiling, nodded at him.
"You have someone in your life.Keep her happy also. Saw you and Avyakta, in tears and pain,alot. That was a bad time, but good time has started.My wishes are always with you, Siddhant.

And my brother, don't forget to prove yourself as best Husband.. She's definitely falling for you,man!"
Siddhant punched him lightly on his stomach,playfully.

"Okay..okay!
How can you be this sure?"

"My wife told me, ask her if you don't believe me.."
He winked at him and he smiled shaking his head sideways.
Meanwhile, taking Vijay and Savita's blessings and having a word with them, they decided to depart.

"Avyakta..
Times spent with you were really beautiful. Whatever happened was just the bad times our family had but..you can build a beautiful present now.

You're lucky to get such In-laws unlike me. Papa and Maa always supported you, believing you as a daughter of their own, things like this is rare to find.
Take care of yourself. Things are changing and it will definitely.

I don't know when I'll come here,again but Avyakta, You and Siddhant should definitely take a visit to us and will tour you Mumbai,too."
She held Avyakta's hand in hers,while giving her a smile mixed with several emotions.

"Thank you di..Thank you so much.
I Got a friend in you. Maybe, I would have left myself all drenched if you didn't reach at that time. Mm..
I'll miss you and that little girl of yours...Sanyukta."
They had a friendly hug and Avyakta searched for Sanyukta, who was indulged with Siddhant. He cheered her sad state up, bending to her level. She smiled at the duo.

Ruchi had a word with her mother  and Priya. While, Avyakta looked at them, smiling. Ruchi, looked at Avyakta and excusing her mother came towards her, again,as if to say something.
"I forgot to say something..Avyakta. Umm... Things should be said at earliest as possible, we don't know whether we get a better opportunity or not.."
Ruchi whispered. While, Avyakta looked at her frowning.

"Someone is being very much serious today, I don't get you Ruchi di.."
Avyakta said.

"Well, Sometimes I become this way too.
So, what was I saying? Yeah!"
She moved forward and whispered something in her ears, which ultimately, widened Avyakta's eyes.

"Avyakta, my girl, I know something is budding inside your heart for a person, who is known as my brother. Siddhant.
Your words, your actions says it all.
Before it's too late, confess your feelings to him."
Ruchi smiled, mischievously and looked to find,Avyakta all red and numb to react. Without, listening to her she walked away. Ruchi looked at Siddhant giving her some unknown expression which he failed to know.
Avyakta could only stay rooted to her place and before she can come out of her stupor, Siddhant marched towards her with Sanyukta in his arms. She looked towards Ruchi, who only smiled at them.

"Meet and say to her, yourself!"
Siddhant's voice broke her thoughts as she looked at them.

"Avu, Mami. I don't want to leave you and go back to my home. I enjoyed so much with you. Tell my mother na, that I don't want to go."
She spoke drawing Avyakta's attention. Avyakta cupped her face and kissed her forehead,while Siddhant heard their conversation.

"Though, I'm not happy,myself as you are going. But, if you will not go home back,then How will you go to school and make new friends? Hmm?
Your mumma and Papa had  to do their works too.."
Understanding her words,she nodded,with a dejected look.

"Uhm..Avyakta.. Tell her that..that we both planned to visit her soon..Right? She was not ready to believe me."
Siddhant asked her, while cheering up Sanyukta. Avyakta understood the meaning behind his words.

"Ah! Haan! Sanyukta we both planned to meet you. We will stay with you too."
Hearing, she looked at them with a delighted face and the elders sighed in relief.

"Before going let's all have a picture, together."
Priya called out everyone. Avyakta stood as directed and found Siddhant behind her. She smiled,that denied to reach her eyes because Ruchi's words kept ringing in her mind.
Soon, Ruchi and family took leave from everyone,leaving some memories to cherish for Avyakta and their taxi zoomed towards the airport.

.
.
.
.
.

"This is...Rahul Uncle and his son, from Benaras ans she is..."
Avyakta showed her wish to see her and Siddhant's marriage photo album,that left Siddhant quite shocked. They both sat down on bed,while he showed her the pictures.He looked down at them with a slight smile and eyes that had an unfathomable expression of joy alongwith sadness. He was being nostalgic. While, her gaze went towards him from the album. She read his expressions and found him with welled up eyes. At that moment, she wanted to hug him and take it out his whole worry.

"Here,I remember, this aunty fell down from the stage,poor she..You remember?"
He laughed and looked up to find her staring at him. He wanted to take his lasr words back,when she shrugged. He whispered a small sorry,to her.

"These memories are very precious to you, Right?"
She asked and in return, he wiped his unshed tears,while nodding.
She looked at him with a sympathetic face,while everything before her, her picture in which she was decked up as a bride, her and Siddhant's picture and the smile they had, seemed strange and unknown. She didn't want to insult his wounds but she wanted to know more about their marriage. Though, the man before her,was loved by her now,but before taking any step still she had some maybe, within the deepest and tiny part of her brain, the insecurities towards him,that always stopped her to do something or the other.

"Never mind but should I keep it back,if you have done staring at my picture? Hmm? "
She nodded and found that she was staring at his picture,for long,though, her mind was diverted to some other thing.

"Umm..No..No..I wasn't..I was-"

"Easy..easy..Don't overthink much Avyakta..
It's okay.Give it to me..."
He chortled that hit her ears and she forwarded him the album.

She shaked her head sideways and walked towards the washroom.

Siddhant on the other side, brought a stool and keeping it infront of the almirah,he decided to climb over it. Taking the album in his hand, he took the stool and stepped over it. Before safely tucking it inside the large and tall almirah, he sighed and looked at it. The past memories clouded over his mind,he was indeed very glad at the time he married, he thought. Giving it a last glance, he smiled, before keeping it inside. He didn't know and alas! soon the leg of the stool,twisted and with a thud the album fell down. He knew today, he would break his back unlike before his twisted leg. But to his relief, he soon got a support and realized that he was still, on that stool. He turned his face,with closed eyes and when opened to find her with a tensed look,holding him in her arms.

Avyakta, looked at him giving him a  worried look. In return,she got the same expressions,from him. An eyelock they had for few minutes,but her eyes searched for something in his black orbs.

"Your experience with stool is worse,Siddhant. I had to agree and you too.."
She spoke,with the matter-of-fact tone,raising her brows, as he was still there within the protection of her arms. He frowned at her.
"Look at you and look at it. Why do you always take this one,when you know this is weaker than your giant body?
Now get down.."

She tried to stand him straight but he being reluctant.His eyes penetrate an unfathomable emotion into her.
"Avyakta, I see something in that brown orbs of yours."

She stopped and looked at him, frowning and gave him a smirk.
"Hmm..Don't be filmy!
It's Kohl.
And Now,don't ask of which brand it-"

"Nah! I was talking about that dirt in the corner of your eye."
He stood straight,and laughed at her while Avyakta couldn't utter anything as she was filled with embarrassement as her mind raced to many things beyond. She wiped her eye,while her lips wanted to be drawn into a laugh.

"Never mind! But..
Don't stiffle your laugh..
Laugh..laugh.
It's good for health.."
He laughed at her embarrassed state and looked at her sitting,down and gathering the album and the pictures that fell down from it.

Making his clothes back to normal,he walked towards her and sat down on the ground.
He gazed at her face and found it all tranquil. A small bindi that adorned her face,her long yet sharp nose, the lips that were pressed together and her opened jet black hair, strands that came on her face and eyes that were downcast that would blink in intervals.
A smile drew upon his face as he looked down to get the pictures in his hands. He looked at her again, and with his fingers, sided away the strand,that came infront of her vision,behind her ear.
Taking the album in his hands, he looked at it,to find it torn not much but not less even.

"Looks it is torn. Let me see.."
Siddhant looked at it as he sat down on the bed. Avyakta too came and sat infront of him.
"All fault of that stool. Phew!"

"Can't we fix it?"
Avyakta looked at the picture she had in her hand, his and her's,and blurt out,what came in her mind. The gap created between them. The meaning of the words said some other story. She conveyed the situation to her life and the album, both.

"Hmm..We can..
But some little efforts are needed,from both sides, Uh! I mean you also,need to help me, to fix this album."
He said while looking at the parts from where it was torn.
She looked at him. Her eyes wanted to say, her face,her heart wanted to say―
'Can't they get back to where they were,their usual self? She loved him and wanted to have the long gap created between them ,vanish.'

"Then,let's do it,together."
She spoke and he looked at her. The words that came out of her mouth seemed quite different.

"Okay!
Help me,then."
He spoke.
She brought scissors and tape.
"This is the way we both have to work,together. Understand?
I mean,
The way scissors and Tape,together are helping in keeping these memories safe,the same way we have to."

Avyakta looked at him with emotions filled eyes,while giving her an assuring glance,he kept busy with the thing he had. She knew he felt the meaning hidden behind those words..
.
.
.
.
.

He blinked once, twice and thrice at the white ceiling above him. He chewed his lips and frowned his brows. The cold winds touched him through the sliding door beside him, and didn't care of what was happening around him. He pretended as if lost in deep thoughts. His one hand was beneath his head and the other on the bed,drumming.
The screech of the door brought him back as he looked at her,closing the doors. She looked at him,as if did something wrong.

"Sorry!
Continue.."
She spoke coming to bed before giving a glance to the wall clock.
She sat and looked at him,who was noticing her since the time,she broke his chain of thoughts.

"Avyakta,
I gave you a chocolate that day. Who ate it?"
Avyakta got numb to react. She ate it but again how could she tell him when she,herself refused to have it.
She shrugged off.

"I've been thinking this long.
I asked her, that little chub, Sanyukta, too but she refused that she didn't recieve any chocolate from you. Then who ate it?
You??"
He looked at her narrowing his eyes claiming to shoot draggers at her.
She was about to lay down on bed but his questions came as a sort of warning.

"Mm..NO..no..
How can I,when I was refusing myself to have it?
Remember?"
Avyakta spoke. But she herself had  few pieces of it and left it there on the table.
Siddhant again looked at the wall as if he would dig a hole with his gaze itself.
"So,since long you are drowned in this thought only,hun?"
She simmered.

He nodded,slowly and saw her laying down opposite him.
"Wait!
Don't lie. If you have eaten,then tell."

She haulted at his sudden words.
"Why are you tensing this much? It's just a chocolate let it be."

"No..No..It's not a chocolate. It has an emotion,you are unaware of."
He played with his fingers chewing his lips, again.

"Oh! Emotion. Hun?
I too find it lost the next day. I think, it might have accidently-"

"Tch. I got the thief!!
That little sister of mine. Priya.
She came to me that day,in the evening and asked for something. I think she might have stolen it. I know. She is a chocolate lover."
A sense of relief washed over her.
"But!
Tell me You never ate it,right?"

"You don't believe me?
Over the time,your trust vanished from me?"
Avyakta asked and layed down,nervously. She knew she lied but had to.

"No!! It's not like that,still I just asked..Never mind.
If I didn't trust you I would have never brought you home,back."
She looked at him,sighing. Still,he was thinking about something that was bickering in his mind.

Time passed and sleep was far away from their eyes. They both layed down straight.He looked at her and she at him,at the same moment.
Avyakta asked him through actions,if he could sleep. He shaked his head sideways.
Within a spur of moments, the room was filled with laughter. Didn't know what was the need of laughing but both enjoyed it, after many months. Siddhant felt those days were back.

"Side effects of having coffee at night,huh!"
Siddhant spoke and Avyakta nodded as she had to agree him. Avyakta had made one for herself as she had to study,for long and thought to offer him one,but they didn't know that it will intrude their sleep.

He turned towards her,maintaining an accurate distance and looked at her. He wanted to ask that question,which was in no mood to leave his mind.
"What did Ruchi say,today, in the morning?"

She frowned and looked at him. Ruchi's words never left her mind. She thought, deeply and shrugged.
"About what?"

"She did some cryptic, eye gestures,while departing. I didn't get her.
Since, you were there with her, thought to ask you. What was she saying?"
He blinked and waited for her words. Keeping his head on his palm,as a support, he looked at her face as if searching for some answer.

"Uh..How will I be knowing it?
Must be something between brother and sister?"
She guessed,what he might be talking about. Ruchi might have gestured something after she advised her to confess her love for him. And..if this is what he was pointing at, then how could she tell him? Moreover, how could Ruchi gesture him,something like this? She waited for the right moment.

"No..still..
Something was there. What was that? Tell me if you are comfortable. Although,no need to hide things from me."
He spoke, raising his brows at her.

"What if I am uncomfortable?
But,I don't know what..what she was hinting you at. But...Wait!
What did she actually do?"

"She made some eye movements and smiled at me, mischievously. I don't know wh...."
He trailed and something stricked his mind. He blinked and an 'oh' escaped his mouth. He shouldn't have spoken this to her. The way she gestured him, can be something related to Avyakta and him. Something which only Ruchi was known to and felt the change between them,maybe.
He brushed his little stubble and bit his lower lip again, he looked at her.
"Did she tease you about something? Like something, you know?"

He stressed the word 'something' and motioned at themselves.
Avyakta looked at him with a blank face and wanted to say him a yes,with the same expression. She wonder how could he guess, things. The atmosphere was covered with a sudden hault of conversations. Her mind worked to let something escape her mouth.
He looked at her as if waiting for her answer.

"I-I don't know what she might have gestured you to, but..but..mm.
No, She didn't tease me."
Passing him a reluctant smile,she turned herself. Her back faced him and she pretended to fall asleep. She didn't want to confront him more,worried he might prise out of her the feeling she was hiding from him,from few days.
"Give hault to your thoughts and sleep!"
She snapped at him,turning a bit,with a challenging smile. He pursed his lips and still, he couldn't digest. Being a curious person, since childhood, Siddhant couldn't digest the way she answered him.

From past eight minutes, there was no budge, from either side. Avyakta's hand went towards the switch as she dimmed the room, making it dark and only the light delivered by the moon illuminated the room. One just pretended to fall asleep and the other,stared at the white wall,in the dark room, as the thoughts were speeding off in his mind. Though, sleep was far away from them.

A huff and, she opened her doe eyes and blinked straight. She wanted to sleep but her eyes didn't let her. Few minutes past and she decided to turn towards him, just a curiousity to know if he slept. She turned and couldn't even turn around completely,when she came face to face him. Siddhant looked at her,showing his sudden movement as she turned,hovering his face with hers and his eyes met at her sudden move. She gasped and noticed his body on the bed, away from her touch.

A stare they had of few seconds,at their accidental move,as their slow yet hot breathes mingled with each others. He affected her and because of that, she couldn't utter a word. His hand,gradually,slid towards the night lamp, beside her and the darkness reduced much, that they can clearly see their faces. His face glowed with the light.

"Never mind, but tell me,please. I can't sleep if you will not answer me.
What did she say?
I know I feel an annoying fellow, but for the sake of my sleep. Please!"
His husky deep,whisper hit her ears, Bringing her back from her blank mind. She breathed. Her fingers were busied playing with the bedsheet and her eyes stared at his lips and eyes.
She had an adrenaline rush.

She felt something tikling,upwards her bosom. Her eyes,gradually went towards it,while his eyes followed the same. She motioned him to get it of as he furrowed. Bringing his hand,he took it and kept it safe inside his tee. A gasp escaped her mouth as his fingers touched her exposed part. His neck rope chain tickled her. He looked at her,waiting for her answer so that he could go back.
"I asked you something. Can I get its reply?"

He provoked her and instaneously,she held his collar,pulling him closer, unknowingly, such that, his face came more closer to her. She glared at him and her eyes penetrate the feelings inside his, as they both stared.

"I said, I.Don't.Know.
Kindly. Sleep. Mr. Siddhant."
She whispered,glaring at him.

He looked into her eyes,with a change of expression, and took in everything she had on her face. The detailed and sharp eyes she had, was something he was fan of.
"Avyakta,I, seriously, see something, in your eyes.
Something, which I feel very deep. Very. You want to know what?"

His breathes fell on her lips,making her go weak on her knees.She stared back, and her eyes would take short glances at his lips. He would follow the same. The intense gazes they both had on each other in that caligonist night made the vicinity, zealous. His eyes were filled with passion and she was frenzied. Their rugged breathes,fan on each others face. Her eyes as if shouting that she wanted it and being much lost,with the surrounding,her hold on his collar,loosened as if giving the hint of something.

Bringing his hand,closer on her face, cupping it, he brought his face more closer. Their lips were just an inch closer and the eyes stared at all along the whole face, that frantically glowed with the night lamp. He shifted much closer to her and her hand still had not left the hold she had on his collar.

"Answer me,You want to know Avyakta, What I see in your eyes?"
His slow and sensual voice, hit her ears as he played with her left cheek,with his fingers along with his continuose gazes down on her lips.His lips had a small coquettish smile,playing.He had hypnotized her and the surrounding was soon felt temptous and passionate. She never blinked except staring at his face that was closer. Getting no reply from her, he gazed at her face and gradually, brought himself,more closer.

Making her hold on his collar more tighter, she pursed her lips and frowning, pushed him back.
"Good Night! Now sleep!"

He raised his eyebrows and gaped at her sudden move. He felt quite guilty of himself, as he came back  to the world. Smacking his head, he smiled and questioned himself, what was he  about to do. He touched his collars, and with a thud fell back on the bed. But soon,the  smile drew into a wholehearted one. His heartbeats were erretic and he knew she expressed the same,he had for her.
"I know it. I know what that eyes of yours say. Everything seems very clear,I've made you fall for me,My.Dear. Avyakta!"
He whispered, to himself.

Whereas,she faced her back at him and breathed heavily. Her lips, drew a smile, filled with love and compassion. . His words and sudden appearance, captivated the strings of her heart. What were they about to do? If she wouldn't have pushed him, she wouldn't have mind to do what her heart wanted but still she haulted. Something what he might have seen in her eyes, she wouldn't mind to pour it into a heartfelt unity of their lips.

Their silence,had voices.
Amidst everything,they had a smile,that they would hide from each other but can't from themselves.
Love...was in the air.

*****

The mirror reflected the same expression,she made, Id est, blank. Everything seemed to be same but the silence, she felt was strange. The voidness engulfed the whole room and the noises were vanished. Didn't know for how long she was standing there and stared at her reflection. Though, she came to check herself but had something her mind and heart fought between and that day what she felt was unknown.

"You ready? Shall we go?"
A voice hit her ear,bringing her back to reality. She nodded and walked towards the door,with her handbag. Saying, a small bye to his parents,now her too, she sat inside the car.

That day she was lost. Lost,reminiscing the moments spent with him. She was all surprised to find herself this quiet after many months. She was really affected with this emptiness. Keeping her head back,on the car's seat,her gaze only met with the shops, vehicles, passers,who busied themselves in their work.A thought occured in her mind that, she was no more afraid of these people, no more to feel uncomfortable around a huge crowd,questioning her sanity, no more hustle bustle in life as things were really changed. She was changed. Reason was him.

She bit her lower lip and quietly thought of few things.
What if she would have never accepted him,again in her life?
What if he, never helped her cure her inner and outer wounds?
What if-

"....And.
You hearing? Bhabhi,You fine?"
A voice brought her back to the present and looked to her right to find, Priya. She pressed the staring from the middle,and came a honk. She looked back to find Avyakta smiling at her and questioned her again.

"Uhmm! I'm listening. Continue."

"I thought,you zoned out. You are seriously, fine? Right? I mean something's bothering, you?
You can share."
Priya spoke giving a long break as she haulted the car infront of the red light.
Avyakta  shaked her head,smiling.Priya was driving her to her workplace,from past four days and was seeing this change. She would speak to her,while going but today was different.
She was habitual to his presence and somewhere,felt it quiet awkward.

"Here we reached!
Bye,Bhabhi! Meet you soon in the evening.. at 7!"
Avyakta thanked her and smiling, walked towards her hospital.

.
.
.
.
.

She smiled as she read the lines,probably of a poem,from a parchment paper she had in her hand. Bidding everyone, in the family a good night, she decided to sat in the balcony, that relaxed her,ultimately.

She got a small parchment from his almirah,that fell down from his diary,without her acknowledgement. A sudden desire she had, to peep  into it, though she felt it completely wrong. Since, he wasn't there, she just had a glance but didn't read anything from it. But found that the poem was his favourite.

Resting her head, on the chair behind, she took her phone and gazed at the picture they had clicked when Ruchi was heading off to Mumbai. She zoomed the picture to see him and her all smiling, contented. A sudden lump formed in her throat as she felt the emptiness in the room. She had been seeing it from past, four days but that day had a sudden longingness,inside her for someone.

She missed him.

Her phone ringed,bringing her back to the present. The caller ID flashed in the dark as the light breezes blew past her face.

"Hello,Mrs. Avyakta,speaking?"
Someone spoke,probably a man. She remained quiet, knowing the person behind.
"Hello?"

"You are talking to me. Not to your officers. Stop being official, at least now."
She whispered, keeping a blank face and instead heard his chortle,that drew a smile on her face.

"How are you?"

"You tell, how are you?"
She asked with a sudden melancholy,enveloping her.

"As you are."
He spoke and she played with the parchment she had in her hands.
He knew how she must be feeling without him because his condition was same.

"Everyone's fine there? Maa,Papa,Priya and..you?"
He asked and she hummed.

"Maa and Papa were feeling sad without you. Priya was feeling bored as she felt everyone went suddenly and she was left with no one to talk but..I tried to talk with her as much I could."
She smiled and felt his breathes,through the phone.

"I asked for one other person,too. She's left."
She spoke she was fine and he smiled. He realized the difference she had in her voice.

"When are you coming back?
Maa,asked?"
He knew this was the question she too wanted to know,his heart said. He looked up in the sky and whispered.
"I feel everyone are bored without me. It was just a week and lo! You all can't live without me."
He laughed,making her smile,shyly. He would ask her questions and she would just hum. A moment later, a sudden silence engulfed the phone. No voice from either side, as they felt each other's presence.

"Siddhant?
Have you ever felt deep longing towards someone?"
She asked him,unknowingly.

"Mm..
Yeah! It feels.. feels beautiful.
That longingness for someone, actually made me strong. And..You know..it.."
He smiled getting the meaning behind her words, and spoke as he wanted to hug her immediately, but being in the other half of the country, he couldn't.
She fell silent and her eyes welled up. Resisting the tears, she decide to cut his call,otherwise, the yearning she was made to feel could come through her words.

"Avyakta?"
He called her once and twice but she didn't speak. He frowned.
"Avyakta, You are here? You-"

"I miss you,Siddhant!"
She spoke as her voice cracked,instantly,leaving him all quiet. Whereas, she wiped the lone tear,that much to her restrain,fell down her eye. He felt the intensity of her words as a lump formed in his throat.
The welled up eyes of his,conveyed the deep longingness he too had.
"I miss you too.Avu!"
He whispered.

Conveying, a small 'bye'she cut the call and wiped off the tears that would fall down. Amidst, she smiled as if roaming in ecstasy. After much of her tiring day,this was her favourite time,where she can effortlessly think about him and his voice came out as a elixir,nursing her wounds.
She looked up into the pitch- dark sky and reminiscince his words that he missed her.

Whereas, the salty water,finally came out as tears through his eyes as he felt an emptiness surrounding himself. He knew she wouldn't call even being missing him.Hearing her words he felt a gush of relief. He didn't want to leave her alone but knowing his work, he had to. He looked up into the sky,chuckling and reminiscing her words. What else did he want?

'I miss you,Siddhant!'

◆◆◆◆◆

*Facepalming*
Too long chapter!

Two more chapters to end.
I hope you liked this chapter and justifying the story to the title.

Leave your valuable votes and comments.
Thank you for reading!

Bye until,next time.
Stay safe,darlings!:)