A/N :: The injuries and other medical information provided are completely fictional and written to suit the story. Medical students please don't get angry.

✎

• vansh's pov •

"Anu, tell the staff to pack two lunch boxes. Vansh and I will be going to office." Baba says.

I stop chewing on my piece of buttered toast and look at him, utterly confused.

"Office? So suddenly?" Dadi asks.

"He's old enough to learn, Ma." He replies in a strict voice, his eyes on me. Swallowing the last piece of toast, I nod in acceptance.

I'm always too old to do things of my age. I want to stay at home, wait for Mayura and play with her.

She'll come today, right?

A dull throb pricks my heart, a sudden feeling of loneliness engulfing me in its cursed embrace.

I miss her warmth.

"Vansh," Baba calls coldly and I jerk my head up towards me. I clench my fists on my lap, pushing back all my tears.

My heart feels heavy. It hurts.

"Go to your room and change. Wear the new shoes I got you last week."

I nod. Baba turns to Ishani and Aryan, patting their heads and, lovingly telling them to look after Siya and be careful while playing.

He doesn't do the same for me.

Letting out a breath, I clean my hands and mouth on the napkin and, hop off my chair, moving to my room.

"Baba, can I help?" Mrs. D'Souza, our nanny, asks accompanying me up the stairs.

"No." I reply, turning to my room and lock the door behind me. The tension and weight on my shoulders lifts, and I suck the air into my lungs.

Moving towards my cupboard, I pull out my favourite pair of clothes. An off-white button-up shirt, pants and a warm sweater. At the bottom of my cupboard was a box. Inside it was the new shoes baba gave. I take them out, leaving them by the bedside.

Changing my clothes, I comb my hair and, putting on my socks I wear the new shoes.

"Vansh Baba, sir is calling you." Mrs. D'Souza says, knocking on the door. Grabbing the empty box, I open the door and hand it to her. "Throw it away." I order, walking swiftly towards the main room.

Baba was at the main door, glancing at his watch and then, he looked at me. His eyes were very angry, his lips turned down in displeasure.

I disappointed him.

Hastening my steps, I reach by his side in a matter of minutes. He says nothing, looking around the mansion.

Anupriya comes with two baskets, and hands it to them. "Thank you." He smiles, kissing her cheek.

Anupriya is my step-mother. Baba married her around eleven months back. He said it's to give us the love of a mother.

Why didn't he just tell Ma to stay instead?

I sigh, biting my lower lip in agony and distress. "Vansh," Baba calls sharply and I flinch, meeting his gaze. He, angrily, gestures towards Anupriya.

"Ajay, don't be so harsh. He's just a child." Anupriya says.

I don't need your support!

"Thank you!" I say curtly, grab my basket and walk outside, without waiting for a reply.

Climbing down the stairs, I walk towards the car. The bodyguard opens the door for me and I sit inside, leaving a huge distance between baba and me.

I miss you, bunny. I feel so lonely and sad without you.

Why did you break your promise, and leave me like Ma? I thought, I thought atleast you would stay.

'I will never leave you, Vansh.' She said, giving me a pinky promise.

Then, why did you also leave me for myself, Mayura?

Was it my fault? Am I actually a bad son as everyone says? Did I also become a bad friend for you?

Why did you make a promise, if you couldn't keep it?

A lone tear rolls down my cheek and I wipe it away quickly.

I cannot show my weakness to anyone, except you, Mayu. Come back, please.

I cannot stay strong any longer.

✎

"Flames hospital." Baba tells the driver as we leave the mansion.

Hospital? Why are we going to the hospital, and not his office?

I glance at Baba. He was typing something on his phone, a message maybe. After sending it, he puts his phone in his pant pocket and looks at me.

I immediately turn my gaze away from him and look outside the window.

"Vansh, you're not going to my office with me." He says. I acknowledge with a nod.

"Your best friend, she's in the hospital." He adds and I turn to him, holding up my straight face.

No. What happened to her? Why is she in the hospital? Is this why she wasn't meeting me for two months? She must be very serious, right?

"Maya met with a serious accident, so she's recuperating in the hospital." He adds in a very calm tone, as though this is a regular occurrence. "The doctor says she needs to spend time with her friends, that's why I'm taking you to meet her."

"Her name is Mayura, not Maya." I correct, suppressing my anger. He shrugs.

How dare someone hurt my precious bunny? I will find them and destroy them completely. Them, their friends, families and relatives - I will get rid of all them.

I squeeze the basket in my arms tightly, shaking in anger.

I will isolate that person, destroy their relations with everyone. I will make sure everyone shuns them, and then strike with a death even more painful than death, itself.

I will destroy them completely. To the point where they beg for death, and even death evades them.

My heart clenches in pain.

My poor bunny. All these days I thought you abandoned me and cried. Had I known you were in pain, I would've come to your side instantly. All you had to do was call out to me.

My chestnut. Why do you always suffer in silence?

The next time she disappears on me, I will wait patiently and then, go out and look for her. I will never, never ever curse out on you, bunny.

Never. Ever.

"Make sure she eats her food." Baba adds, pointing towards the basket. I nod, relaxing my aching jaws.

✎

"Keep this a secret from everyone." He orders, putting a hand on my shoulder. I resist the urge to push it away.

We walk into the bustling hospital, stopping at the reception table. The receptionist was busy talking to someone on the phone and noting something on the register.

The floor was shining, emitting a strong smell of disinfectants and cleaners. There were many chairs scattered around, and all of them were occupied.

My feet hurt.

"Done?" Baba says and I look at him. He is talking to a nurse.

"Yes, sir. We have shifted her to your room, as instructed." He replies. "She is sleeping at the moment."

Baba acknowledges his words with a curt nod. The nurse takes us to the elevator and presses the button to the fifth floor. The doors close with a chime, the elevator moving upward at a slow pace.

If she is so injured that baba had to have her isolated then it must be very serious. I have to be strong for her.

I swallow hard and take in a deep breath, keeping myself calm.

"Don't be weakling, Vansh. You're a man of the Rai Singhania clan. And we men are not weak."

'You can be weak, Vansh. You're a human first.' She said, cupping my face.

Mayura, I'm coming for you, my precious friend.

I nod.

"You will stay in her room the entire time and not leave until I come to take you back home."

Again, I nod.

"The nurses will come in to check on her every thirty minutes. Only at that time, if you want to move her from the bed to someplace else in the room, you can ask them to help you. Don't move her on your own."

I nod, again.

"If she's sleeping, let her sleep. Don't wake her up unless the nurse is in. She needs a lot of rest."

Enough! I want to meet her now.

The lift chimes open, and we step out walking down a long corridor with cream coloured walls.

At the end of the corridor was a door. On it's left was a nameplate, the words Rai Singhania written in bold.

The nurse pushes the door open, revealing another small corridor with chairs lined up against the wall and a door near the right corner. We walk towards it, and he slides it open to reveal a large opulent room of beige and brown.

I find Mayura on the bed, various wires connected to her small body. I can see some bandages on her arms and legs.

"If you need anything, call him." Baba states, pointing towards the nurse. Taking his hand off me, he pushes me into the room and closes the door.

I take in a deep breath.

We meet again, bunny.

✎

Putting my lunch bag on the table, I grab a stool and rush to her bed. Placing it on the side, I climb up to get a clear view of her.

An inaudible gasp leaves my lips, my body trembling in agony and anger at her delicate condition.

There was a bandage wrapped around her head. Small bruises on her adorable face. Her eyes had dark circles. Her chubby cheeks had small cuts, a jagged scar on the left side of her lower jaw.

Her right hand was wrapped in bandages, with a pipe of blood attached to the back of her hand; her left hand was wrapped by a black strap for support. There were various bruises on her arms. Her chest rises and falls rapidly, as though breathing was hard for her.

Her legs also had bandages, a plaster on her left leg. There were small bandages on her slender fingers. I take her hand in mine, pressing a kiss to it. A few tears of mine fall on it, but she doesn't wake up.

"Bunny, who did this to you?" I cry, carefully touching her cheeks. I gasp, my breath stuck in my throat when I see the finger marks on her necks.

Purplish blue and fresh.

I am overcome by intense rage at her injuries.

"Does it not hurt, bunny? I'm sure it does. This," I point to her head, "if not, then this." I point to her throat, gently grazing the marks with my finger tips. A faint smell of antiseptic wafts from it. "I'm sure it hurts you a lot, chestnut. Why are you so quiet about it? Tell me, tell me where it hurts. Tell me who hurt you so badly. Tell me, bunny. Don't be so silent, please."

I cry. My tears fall on her hand, sliding down to the bed.

"Bunny, wake up and talk to me. It hurts. It hurts me so much to see you like this. Wake up, please."

'Do not be a weakling in front of her, Vansh.'

Baba's words ring in my ears. Leaving her hand, I wipe my tears and take in deep breaths to calm myself down.

I can do it. I can be strong.

✎

"Bunny," I poke her cheek, my head propped against my arm. "Wake up, chestnut. It's time for lunch."

She stirs, her fingers moving. Her eyes open slowly, incoherent noises leaving her throat as she wakes up.

"Mayura!" I exclaim, coming into her line of vision. Her dull vision lights up, a small smile appearing on her lips. "Vansh," she breathes, trying to sit up.

Putting my hands on her shoulders, I make her lie down and use the lever to make her sit. "Bunny," I sit on the edge of the bed and, carefully hug her tightly. "I missed you so much!"

"Vansh," she whispers, putting her head on my shoulder. "I'm sorry for leaving you alone for so long, Vansh. I wasn't in a condition to tell you, please don't get angry at me."

"I didn't mean to leave you, or abandon you. I tried a lot. Everytime I wanted to call you and tell you, I --"

"It's fine, chestnut." I interrupt, breaking the hug. I pat her head. "I understand your circumstances."

Tears appear in her eyes and I wipe them away. "Don't be sorry. I am not angry with you." I say calmly.

I rub my nose against hers and she hiccups. "Now, now. Don't be a crybaby, bunny." I tease and she giggles.

"You must be hungry, right?" I ask and she nods. "I got food. Let's eat together."

She smiles a little. "After lunch, we'll go to the balcony to enjoy the weather." She smiles more, nodding animatedly.

Helping her sit up comfortably, I set the portable table on her bed and grab my lunch bag, putting everything on the table.

She pats on the empty space beside her on the large bed and I, throwing away my shoes, join her.

Opening the boxes, I give the box with chawal-dal to eat. She struggles to lift the spoon with her injured hand. Taking the spoon from her, I feed her one bite. She chews slowly and I eat my share of roti-sabzi.

An hour later, she finally finishes half the box.

✎

My summer vacations ended, but she hadn't recovered completely. I would spend my weekends with her, sharing my books and toys with her.

She would smile, giggle and be enamored by my collection, but her words were limited. She started to speak less and to fill the gap, I started to talk more.

I wanted her to open her heart to me.

I wanted to ask her about her injuries - who caused them?

I wanted to ask her about her parents - why don't they ever visit you?

I wanted to ask her about the marks on her delicate neck - who hated you so much?

I wanted to ask her about the secrets she hid deep in her heart - why do you not trust me, bunny?

Nine months later, she was discharged.

My summer vacations had began once again.

✎

• author's pov •

Mayura left her old school and joined the one across Vansh's. The reason was unknown to all.

Their schools were similar in all aspects except the financial statuses of the students and uniforms. His school was for the children of wealthy families. Her school was for the well-off families who could manage to give their children the basics of everything. But both had an impressive level of education.

Vyom went to the same school as her, bidding bye at the gate and drove home with his father.

Vansh, on the other hand, would keep his bag in the car with his siblings and walk with her till their paths separated. She'd wait until the car disappeared after a signal and resume walking home.

On one such day, she found a note. It read: Vihaan will be here soon. Please take him in - Uma.

Next week, on the same day, Vihaan stood at her door with a bag and a teary face. The last time he had seen her, he was only two which meant he remembered nothing about her.

"Vihaan?"

He looked up at her, wiping away a stray tear. Smiling gently, she opened the door and, taking him by the hand led him inside.

To his new home.

✎

"Bunny," Vansh frowned, walking into the library searching for her. Angre followed him like a puppy. A lost puppy.

"Where are you?" Taking off his shoes, he stood on a chair and scanned the entire library. He received no reply except for the melodies of the birds and wind.

A book lay open on a table at a far end, its fluttering pages catching his attention. Jumping down, he ran towards the book.

"Mayura,"

"You called?" She poked her head through the window, startling the ten year old.

"Ah!" He slipped, falling on his back.

"Bhai!" Angre ran to him, helping him up. "You okay? Did you get hurt?"

"Vansh," She climbed in through the window, kneeling beside him. "Are you fine? Does it hurt?"

"Vansh," They shook him by the shoulders. "Say something."

"Only if you both let me." He stared at them, receiving sheepish smiles in turn.

Helping himself to his feet, Vansh dusted his pants. They stared at him, lips sealed, waiting for his reply.

"Now what?" He complained, crossing his arms against his chest.

"You didn't tell us if you were okay," they mumbled, exchanging glances with each other.

"Relax," He smiled, putting his hands around their shoulders. "I am all good."

"You sure?" Angre quizzed, receiving a firm nod from Vansh.

"Where did you go?" Vansh asked as she shut the book and placed it back in the shelf.

"You wanna go?" She asked, smiling softly as she leaned against the window sill.

The curious glances she received from them gave her the answers and she stepped on the ledge of the window.

"Follow me."

Stepping into the world on the other side of the library, Vansh and Angre gazed at it in awe. Colourful flowers, vines and climbers covered this side of the mansion. A side they had never seen.

Taking baby steps towards a vine, Vansh touched its leaves gently. They spiralled down the balcony of the room that once belonged to his parents. After his mother, Uma Rai Singhania, left the room had been shut forever and Ajay shifted into another room.

A flower fell on his head. He picked it slowly, a tear rolling down his cheek in the memory of his mother. She rested a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it in comfort.

"Maa," He whimpered.

Pulling him into her embrace, she caressed his hair. "She loves you, Vansh."

"Mhm," He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly.

Angre hadn't noticed them yet.

He was too lost in the beautiful flowers, colourful butterflies and chirping birds. His honey brown orbs were glazed by the sunlight, the wind running through his hair.

He felt happy. And the place, felt like heaven.

"This is so beautiful," He told her, happiness coursing through his veins. His happiness was contagious, and Vansh couldn't stop himself from smiling. He wiped his tears away, carefully holding the flower in his hand.

"Beautiful seems less," He gazed at the climbers holding a few of the windows shut.

"Right."

"Don't tell anyone about my- " She paused, "about this secret garden, okay?"

"Okay," Angre replied, running away when he saw something interesting.

"What was that?" Vansh quizzed, his brow raised in doubt.

"What was what?"

"You said my and then paused," He frowned. "Why did you do that?"

"I shouldn't have?"

"You shouldn't have," he put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. "Whatever is mine, is yours. Remember that! We're best friends, you idiot."

"Group hug!" Angre squealed, wrapping his arms tightly around Mayura. She laughed, placing a kiss on his head before returning the hug.

Turning his head, Angre gave Vansh a Do-you-need-an-invitation look. He smiled, throwing his arms around them.

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