Akash's POV

I find myself in a beautiful garden, the kind that looks like a scene from a fairytale. The sun is setting, casting a golden hue over everything. There's a gentle breeze that carries the sweet scent of blooming flowers. In the middle of this serene setting stands a girl, her silhouette glowing with a soft, ethereal light. Her hair flows like a river of midnight, and her smile is the kind that can light up the darkest nights.

Girl (laughing and hugging him) - Akash, I am so excited about our marriage. Aren't you excited?

I step closer, a sense of warmth spreading through me. "Of course, I am," I reply, trying to keep the excitement from overtaking me. "But first, I want bhai to get married."

She giggles a sound that makes the world around us shimmer. Suddenly, she starts running away, her laughter echoing through the garden. I chase after her, calling her name, but as I get closer, she starts to fade, her form dissolving into the air like mist in the morning sun.

SPLASH!!!

I'm jolted awake, the sound of the splash still ringing in my ears. My bed is soaked, and the dream's vivid details blur into the reality of my room. Pari, with her wide, concerned eyes, stands by my bedside, her small frame casting a shadow over the chaos in my mind.

The dream, so real, so full of emotions, leaves me breathless. I can't shake the feeling that it was more than just a dream. It was a memory, a piece of my heart trying to connect with something lost, something I can't quite reach.

I stare at my little Pari, in her adorable PJs, standing beside the bed, her face etched with concern.

Pari (concerned face) - Papa!!! You were shouting 'Payal, Payal' in your dreams and then you started crying. So I woke you up. Are you fine?

I gaze at her, the maturity in her eyes surprising me. How can a six-year-old be so perceptive?

Akash (hugging her) - Yes, Jaan (life), I'm fine... just a weird dream. Let me shower and then we can go see your bade papa.

Checking the time, I quickly hop into the shower, letting the warm water wash away the remnants of the dream. Once I'm dressed, I find Pari, all set and waiting, her little backpack slung over one shoulder.

Pari nods enthusiastically and plants a kiss on my cheek. I carry her to the car, the morning sun casting a golden glow, and we drive to the guest house a few kilometers away from our home. The journey is quiet, the only sounds being the hum of the engine and Pari's soft humming.

As we arrive, the familiar sight of the guest house brings back a flood of memories. It's time to face the past and maybe, just maybe, find some peace.

As I walk in with Pari in my arms, HP follows closely behind with Aarav in tow. Aarav takes Pari from me, giving her a playful lift that makes her giggle. I nod at Aarav, my mind still preoccupied with what HP had just said.

HP, his face lined with concern, catches up to me, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Akash betwa, Arnav hasn't talked to anyone since you left. He hasn't moved from his bed unless he absolutely had to."

I look at HP, noting the worry etched deep in his features. His words echo in my mind, making my heart pound with unease. "There's more to it, isn't there?" I ask, my voice tight with anticipation.

A chill runs down my spine. Without another word, I rush up the stairs, my steps quickening with every stride. I reach Arnav's room and push the door open gently, the sight before me freezing me in place.

Arnav lies on the bed, his face pale, a tangle of wires and tubes connecting him to the heart monitor, the steady beep-beep of the machine the only sound in the room. He murmurs softly, his voice a whisper carried on the edge of sleep, "Khushi... Khushi..."

I walk closer, the room's silence amplifying the sound of my own heartbeat. His eyes are closed, his brow furrowed with the strain of his dream. The sight of him, so vulnerable and lost, pierces through the calm veneer I've tried to maintain. The pain in his voice, the depth of his longing, makes me want to reach out, to shake him awake from whatever nightmare he's trapped in.

I sit down beside him, my hand hesitating before I finally place it on his. The warmth of his skin against mine is a stark reminder of the bond we share, a bond that's been tested and strained but remains unbroken. "Bhai," I whisper, my voice barely audible over the hum of the monitor, "I'm here. We're all here. Just hold on."

His murmurs continue, a tangled mix of pleas and whispers that tear at my heart. "Khushi... please... come back..."

I close my eyes for a moment, drawing in a deep breath. "We'll find her, Bhai. We'll bring her back. Just hold on. Please, don't give up."

The room falls into a heavy silence again, the only sound the rhythmic beep of the heart monitor, each beat a reminder of the fragile thread that ties us together.

Flashback - What happened to Arnav in Akash's POV

As soon as I saw the car engulfed in flames, panic surged through me. I ran down the hill, my heart pounding, hoping against hope that bhai was safe.

When I reached the scene, his shocked expression froze me in place. I shouted his name, but he just kept murmuring one thing: "Khushi, I am sorry."

I called the ambulance, rushing towards him, but the only words that left his lips were those of regret. I tried to comfort him, but he only repeated that phrase before losing consciousness. In a frenzy, I searched for water, but my efforts were in vain. I returned to find blood seeping from his body. Thankfully, the ambulance arrived just in time. The paramedics quickly moved him to the hospital while I followed in my car, dialing Aman's number to brief him on bhai's condition.

When we reached the hospital, I started filling out forms, urgency and fear clawing at me. The doctors whisked bhai away immediately, recognizing him as ASR.

Three hours later, the doctor emerged, his face clouded with worry.

Me (rushing to the doctor) - Doctor, what happened? Is Bhai okay?

Doctor (serious) - Mr. Raizada is stable, but he's not out of danger. We're moving him to a ward now. His head struck a rock, causing severe brain trauma. It's affecting his cognitive functions. If he doesn't regain consciousness within 24 hours, there's a risk of coma. He keeps calling for someone named Khushi. Can you contact her? It might help his recovery. Also, make sure not to cry or give him any shocking news; it could severely impact his condition.

The doctor's words hung heavy in the air as he walked away, leaving me to grapple with the weight of his prognosis. I knew Khushi could be the key to his recovery, but the pain bhai had caused her made me hesitate. I couldn't bear the thought of pulling her into this turmoil, especially with her own complications. I dashed to bhai's ward as soon as he was settled, fighting to keep my tears at bay. Seeing bhai, my superhero, in this state broke me.

Akash (voice trembling) - Bhai, why are you lying here like this? We need to find Khushiji and Payal. I can't do this without you... You're my superhero, Bhai. Wake up! Aman is waiting for you to boss him around. Your first love, work, is waiting. Nani is waiting for you.

I stepped out, unable to contain my tears. Just then, someone placed a hand on my shoulder. I turned to see Aman, the last person I expected to see, and without hesitation, I hugged him.

- Imagine he is talking to Akash

Akash (crying) - Aman, you know, you're the person I despised the most. I was always jealous, thinking if there was a problem, bhai would come to you and not me. I hated you for stealing him, but today I realize why. I was too blind with jealousy to see the burden he carried. Today, I understand why bhai valued you so much. I called you, and you came, not caring about anything else. I'm sorry, Aman. Today, I see why bhai needed you.

Aman hugged me back, accepting my apology, and we both crumbled. I explained everything to him - what happened at home, the accident, and how I had been keeping the truth from bhai. Aman made me sit outside and rushed to see bhai.

Aman's POV

As soon as I entered the ward, I knew I had to break through bhai's silence. ASR hated any show of weakness, so I spoke to him with the stern confidence he respected.

Aman (firmly) - ASR, we have a lot to do at AR. Get up! And guess what? You're going to be a father. I know where bhabhi is.

ASR hand twitched, and I quickly called the doctor and Akash.

Akash's POV

I don't know what Aman said to bhai, but whatever it was, it worked. Bhai started moving. I rushed back to the ward, only to find bhai screaming for Khushiji, his voice desperate. Aman tried to calm him down, but bhai's cries were heart-wrenching.

Aman (urgently) - ASR, you'll find bhabhi. Calm down.

The doctor soon arrived and administered a sedative, making bhai fall into a deep sleep.

Flashback Ends

After that day, we moved to Mumbai, cutting ties with RM and anyone from the past. Di took charge of AR, and we, along with Aarav and Aman, started a new venture called 'AKAPA' – Arnav, Khushi, Akash, Payal, and Aman. Our business was in direct competition with the Oberoi Empire, but they were ahead. Bhai's obsession with Khushi drove him to work endlessly, and after discovering Aman had lied about finding Khushi, he shut everyone out, even Aman. Bhai stopped talking, his days spent muttering Khushiji's name.

It took me months to convince him to return to work. But when my detectives uncovered the truth - the train accident that took the lives of Payal and Khushiji, along with Lavanya and Nk - I knew it would shatter him. I've kept this from bhai for a year, planning to break the news only when absolutely necessary, ensuring it doesn't destroy him further.

So who is Pari?

Do you think ASR should be punished more?

Do you think Akash should be punished more?