A soft breeze stirred the curtains, bringing in the scent of jasmine and sunlight. The sky blushed with shades of peach and gold, and the city seemed to hum with quiet energy. It was a morning.

At Aggarwal's house.

Radhika, Arth's mother, was sitting at the dining table with Arth for breakfast.

Adhyay came there with her school hanging on her shoulders.

She silently sat beside her father. The three had their breakfast in complete silence.

A few minutes later, they heard a honk. Adhyay grabbed her school bag, kissed her dad's and dadi's cheeks, and ran out of the house, bidding them goodbye.

On the bus.

She sat in the empty seat.

After some minutes. When the bus halted at the next stop, a boy walked in and sat beside her.

Looking at the boy, Adhyay gasps.

Boy (Smirk): Hello!!

Adhyay nodded and looked out of the window.

Saransh (smirk): Tch! Tch! Tch! Miss Nerd is ignoring me? Sweetheart, you know me?

Listening to his words, Adhyay got scared, but before she could react. The bus reached school. Saransh walked out as students got off the bus. Adhyay sighed in relief. She too went out of the bus.

Adhyay's POV: Thank god he left!! He is really a scary person. Always bullies his juniors and also troubles them. I am safe.

She went to her class and engrossed herself in her studies.

After some lectures, the bell rang, indicating break time. Adhyay was passing by a class.

When Saransh and his group saw her.

Saransh (pointing towards Adhyay): Harsh, go and bring her here.

He said smirking. Harsh - Saransh's friend, nodded and went towards her.

Harsh (at a distance from Adhyay): Hey you!! Come here!

Listening to the voice. Adhyay rooted at her spot. She got scared, seeing Saransh's group member.

Adhyay (stammering): What happened, sir?

Harsh (sternly): I said Come here.

Adhyay, with baby steps, walked towards Harsh. She was damn scared. Her hands were trembling.

Harsh held her arm with a grip and dragged her towards the group. Making her tremble on her feet.

Saransh (pointing at Adhyay): Missy! What's your name?

Adhyay (scared): Ad.. Adhyay!

Rohan (chuckling): Adh.... Yay... Yaayyyy!!!

Rohan- One of Saransh's friends teased Adhyay.

Saransh (smirk): Adhyay hmmm..... In the morning, you dared to ignore me? I see you have the guts to face me?

Adhyay looked at him with fear in her eyes.

Saransh (smirk): So, boys, what should we do with her?

By now, Adhyay started sobbing, feeling weak and scared.

Saransh (smirking): What if I will (holding her wrist) break this?

Adhyay flinched because of the sudden touch. She was looking at her wrist, which was in Saransh's hand, with fear. Tears roll down her cheeks.

Saransh (chuckled): Aww!! Miss is crying now. You should have thought this before messing with me.

Harsh (cheering): What are you waiting for Saransh? Let's do it.

Saransh tightened his grip on her wrist and bent it a little. Her wrist ached a little, making her shiver in fear. She yelp.

Adhyay (scared, sobbing): No please! Please forgive me. I will not repeat it. I am sorry please forgive me.

Saransh (smirk): Aww!! Baby got scared with this only?? Okay! Okay!! I will leave you but punishment is still pending.

Saransh loosens his grip on her wrist. He was thinking about punishment and Adhyay was silently sobbing.

After a minute, he left her hand and walked towards a bench. He took his books from the bag and came back to Adhyay.

Saransh (forwarding book to Adhyay): Listen to me, Miss, your punishment. This is my book and I want you to complete my assignments in 3days.

Adhyay was looking down. She quickly took the book from his hand.

Saransh (keeping his index finger under her chin, making her look up): Aww!! So obey the girl. Good.

He patted her head. Adhyay was quiet, looking down.

Saransh (holding her jaw tight): Don't mess with me or I can make you suffer, understand? You know who I am?

Adhyay blinked her eyes as she couldn't speak because of Saransh, who was holding her jaw, making her wince in pain. Tears were on her cheeks.

Saransh (pushing Adhyay a little): Don't you dare to mess with me and complain this to anyone or or or ummm.... Now get lost.

Adhyay stumbled a little but balanced herself, and cleaning her face, she ran from there.

After the break.

Adhyay attended her rest classes and then went home.

A new fear of Saransh entered her life, making her scared.

With Arth and his mother.

Radhika: Arth teri colleague Geeta. (Arth, you college Geeta)

Arth (eating his breakfast): Haan? (Yes?)

Radhika: A Few days back, we met. I came to know that she is divorced.

Arth (looking at his mother): Hmm... I know. She is a single mother.

Radhika sighed.

Radhika: Arth, after Disha's death, I feel we are losing our Adhyay. Before, she used to be chatteebox. Now, she barely speaks.

Arth nodded, he got the hint, where this topic is leading to, but chose to stay quiet and let her complete.

Radhika: It's already 2 years. Because of Disha and Adhyay. This house used to be alive.

Arth stayed quiet, not reacting.

Radhika: We can't change god's decision, but neither can we be stuck in the same phase for a lifetime. I am thinking if you and Geeta can get married.

Arth (shocked): Maa? Ye aap kya bol rahi ho? Main aur dusri shaadi. Nahi hogi. (Mom? What are you saying? Me and a second marriage? I can't do that)

Radhika: Arth meri baat sun to. Beta Disha ke jaane ke baad tu kitna akela par gaya hain. Adhyay kitni akeli ho gayi hain? (Listen to me, after Disha's death, see alone you and Adhyay are)

Arth: Maa par Iska matlab ye nahin main kisi aur se shaadi kar loon. Main Disha ki jagah kisi aur ko kaise de doon? I will take care of Adhyay. I will give her everything. I am sure, we both will be strong again. I can't someone else. I am sorry.

(Mom, but that doesn't mean, I have to marry someone. I can't give Disha's place to someone else.)

Radhika: Main tujhe kaha bol rahi hoon Disha ki jagah ki aur ko de. Dekh beta Geeta ne uske pati ko pichle saal divorce de diya. Abhi Geeta apne bete ke sath raheti hain. Adhyay ko Geeta se maa ka pyaar milega. Tu uske bete ko pita ka pyaar de sakta hain. Aur jaruri nahin har rishte me pyaar ho. Kuch dosti, understanding, trust aur support se bhi bante hain. Tu aur geeta dost ban kar ek dusre ke sath rahe sakte. Tum dono ki shaadi se ek nahin 4 lifes vapas achi ban sakti hain. Pati, patni nahin par dosti ka sath to hoga tum dono ka.

(I am not asking you to replace Disha with Geeta in your life. Look, Geeta divorced her husband last year. Now, Geeta is living with her son. Adhyay will get his mother's love from Geeta, and you will give his father's love to her son. It's not necessary, every relation should have love. Some build on friendship, support, trust and understanding too. You and Geeta will be friends. Not someone as a life partner, but as a friend, you will both be by your side. Because of this marriage, four lives will be happy again.

To be continued...