**Sorry guys for the delay...Read on!**

"I am nervous," I whispered, turning on my heel to run away.

He smiled and gave a short nod. His hair was blowing in the morning warm breeze. We were standing in the uppermost balcony overlooking the vast expanse of Washington DC skyline. The sun was bright with sparse clouds in the sky, the golden sun rays bathed Sid's profile in an angelic aura.

His nod of encouragement failed to lift my nerves, still clutching his hand, I tentatively stepped inside the living area of Sid's Penthouse. As my gaze fell on my parents sitting in the left side of the room, deeply in conversation with Naina and Jason Parker. They did not know I was here to surprise them-plan of Sid's. My feet felt heavy as I slowly came into their sight, they both looked up, too shocked to react. Both of them didn't talk, but stood up and lumbered towards me in calculating steps as if I would disappear any moment.

I felt Sid push me forward, now few feet vicinity from the wondrous gaze of my parents. My mouth was dry, my tongue felt heavy to move. I could feel my inside clench as I locked with my mom's gaze. I smiled from the corner of my mouth, tentative at first.

In one stride, she clasped me in her arms, her head coming to my shoulders. "Sara! My baby!" she sobbed, tears now dripping on my shoulder as let go of my own overwhelming emotions. It seemed like years when we finally broke. Her hand stretched to wipe my tears. "Pradeep, it's our daughter!" she turned briefly towards her husband and beckoned him in the hug.

Dad, though not teary, had a tormented expressions on his face. It seemed like he was afraid to cross the invisible threshold. I had to make his job easy. I broke from my mother and stepped in front of my dad, who stood at a greater height. "I am back," I whispered and placed my head on his chest.

His stiff stance broke suddenly, and he too hugged me.

Wordlessly, when we finally settled on the couch with me in between my parents, I began to tell what had happened in the last few days with me and Sid. I told them that the letter made me realize their position and completely understand the way they tried protecting me from the harsh truth.

"Dad," I whispered. "You shouldn't have asked Sid to get me the position of the executive assistant to CEO."

He looked up, his graying hair shining in the morning light. "I know. I realize that I shouldn't take the control of your life. Even I felt strongly that with your intellectual capabilities, you can progress without any connections. It was foolish of me to ask Jay to intervene."

"Yes, I agree," I murmured, twisting my mouth to let out a small smile. "Because, you two have made me this independent girl. If I wouldn't have seen your drive towards your passions, I wouldn't perhaps, developed it myself."

"Mini, dear," he mumbled and once again pulled me to his chest.

Meanwhile, Sid's parents who had just dropped from their house, also unaware of Sid's surprise, witnessed our reunion with their son at their side.

"Siddharth had spoken a great deal about you, Sara dear. And I know why. You are a sweet girl," said Naina, smiling. Sid and Jason beamed.

I smiled, feeling a little embarrassed as all eyes were on me. "I am planning two week's stay, and then back to Mumbai. Though I will sure to visit more often."

Naina's eyes drifted to her son in concern. She seemed to hope that her son would continue staying in DC. I didn't blame her.

"Mum, dad," Sid began. "I know you guys want me here in DC, but my heart is in Mumbai," his gaze set on me, making me uncomfortable. "I want to be with Sara. I hope you will understand. And of course," turning to my parents, he continued, "Only if you guys have no problem with it."

The four of them looked at each other, in what seemed like, a grim expression, before laughing heartily. We looked bewildered at them. One minute they looked as if a little apprehensive towards us living in Mumbai, in the later second, though, all the tensions drove away. This time, Jason was the one to speak. "Don't think we are sporting these gray hair for nothing, we have been through your situation. To tell you the truth, Naina observed your obvious love when we met at the Gala. And that very day, we had met your parents and told them about you two."

"As you can expect, we were surprised, even shocked," my mom began, "But we were assured that if two actually end u together, Jayden would make you happy, Sara. He is a gem."

"If you two put your differences aside, your love will bloom with time, just like ours," singed Naina, clutching her husband's hand in hers.

"I am very sure of that," Sid spoke and beamed at me. "For now, I am letting her have her time with you guys. Even if she exhibits toughness, she is all mellow inside."

And the rest of the day blurred past, as I shifted my bag to my old bedroom, drank in the sight of the house, feeling like I should have done it more justice. The heaviness of passed time, burdened me, as I tried to cover the memories of me misunderstanding my parents, hating them when they took care of Lyra. I gulped the lump in my throat if only I would have got a little more time with her. I touched the walls of her lavender shaded bedroom. It was empty except her picture on the wall with me. I cried for the whole day, stuffing myself in her old bed sheet. At dinner, when both of them visited me, they had a content written on their faces.

"I think she would be happy, looking down on us, reunited once more," my dad said, settling by my side.

I nodded. "We are starting afresh, with her memory alongside us." We three sat together, reeling in the feeling of togetherness. "I want to ask you guys once again."

Their faces turned towards me.

"Are you unhappy about me not coming back?" I asked, expecting an answer otherwise.

Mum gave me a long searching look. "To tell you the truth, yes, I am disappointed that you are not going to stay here with us. But that doesn't mean I am not happy. You don't know dear, but we are immensely happy for you. And I won't worry at all when you would be with Jay. He will take care of you, I am certain of that."

"Thanks, mum!" I sobbed and we all proceeded for dinner.

On the third day, Sid ambled towards me, through the garden. "Hey, remember me?"

"Ha ha!" I mimicked and went into his arms. "What brings you here in the sunny morning?"

"I want to kidnap you for the rest of the day," he murmured, kissing my forehead. "Already asked Doc. Now come on, ten minutes and we will be out of here."

With raised brows, I scrutinized his form. He was clad in well-fitted jeans, an 'I-am-with-her' quoted T-shirt and aviator sunglasses. My insides swelled at the sight or probably I was soaring in the sky. "Where are we going?"

"Your whole day is booked with me. You will take me to your favorite spots in the city and I will take you to mine," he proposed, grinning. His teeth dazzled in the sunlight.

And thus we roamed in the city on his motorbike, holding him tight from behind. I showed him my school, the places I would get away when I was sad, the place where I took Lyra playing. The afternoon brought warm breeze, when we were seated in one of the gardens, he used to visit when he was a kid.

When we finally made our way out of the garden, we faced a compact merc hatchback, parked by the roadside. I looked quizzically at Sid, who answered with a smirk.

"You are learning how to drive!" he declared, pushing me towards the driver side door.

"No...No... Please. I can't...I won't..." He disregarded my pleas and spent hour or two directing me, instructing me to the basics. The fear of driving soon began to subside with his encouragement. I was able to drive in the third gear and forty miles per hour, well in no traffic conditions. Still, it was a big step.

When he finally declared that it was enough for the day he asked me why I wouldn't learn to drive.

"I thought Lyra died in a car accident. Since then it put me off. When I attempted to drive, her face always flashed in front of me," I answered truthfully.

"I can understand, honey," he mumbled. "But the barrier is only in your head. You will soon learn."

As the evening started to proceed, we went quieter, even fidgety. He drove the merc for another hour when we arrived at a bridge connecting Georgetown and Arlington. The withdrawing sun rays shone golden on the river, flowing below us. The skyline had turned indigo; the warm summer breeze fanning our faces in a gentle caress. For a while, we didn't talk, instead drank in the sight in silent prayer.

The stone railing was cold to touch, yet it felt real and comforting. I raised my head sideways, to look at Sid's form. I could know he was thinking something, contemplating perhaps. I touched the back of his hand and brought him back from his thoughts.

"Thank you for the wonderful day, Sid!" I murmured, now fully turning to face him.

He smiled forcefully before mumbling something, which I could not understand.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I want to ask you something very important," he spoke out, his gaze fleeting sideways.

"What is so important?" I asked suspiciously.

"Well...umm.," he stammered and then breathed deeply as I touched his both hands, forcing him to look into my eyes. "Sara, promise me when I ask you this, you wouldn't freak out, or run away."

I gulped, knowing that he might want me to stay here in DC and not go back in Mumbai. I knew well that he preferred DC over Mumbai, though just because I was not keen to leave, he decided to continue in Mumbai,

"Please, promise me," he repeated his request.

I nodded solemnly.

"I was thinking about it for so many days...it's just that I am sure what I want in my life... Never been I was so certain of it," he mumbled and his hand went to his pant pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. My breath caught in my lungs as I stared at it. The power of speech left me as he started to kneel down, his expressions of that a hopeful person.

"Sara Pradeep Anand," he said, looking up and locking me in his arresting gaze. "In the past ninety-three days, I watched you, in my heart loved you and unknowingly fell for you. In spite of our petty indifferences, we have hearts that match, souls that connect. I am convinced that you are the one and only real thing in my life. And from this day forth, I want to be a part of you, to be your side and love you...Sara.... will you do me the honor of marrying me?"

I exhaled the air which I caught in my lungs what it seemed like forever. The moment, the picture of him looking up and proposing immediately went to my brain and thousands of lights seemed to have burst in front of my open eyes. There was absolutely no doubt in my mind that I won't be anywhere else than to be in his arms. And to live together for the entire lifetime was more than I have asked for.

I kneeled to face him; tears trickled down my cheeks. He understood my answer and put the ring on my finger; his eyes glazed with happy tears. I shifted my glance at the ring, the large stone glittered in the receding rays. "It's beautiful," I sobbed.

He cupped my face in his palms and drew me closer. "Are you sure?" he asked, breathlessly.

"Yes, Mr. Jay Parker. I will marry you!" With that, I closed the inch distance and kissed him full on his mouth, enjoying the sweet taste as the deal was sealed between us.

**So, Did you like the ending? I hope you do. I am not planning to write the epilogue as I might write a sequel to this story. So, for now, I am keeping it open ended. Waiting for your feedback...**