"He's lying!" Sakshi yelled, unaware of the place they were in "it can't be true!"

Aman shushed her and turned to Akhil who looked perturbed by her outburst "why will I lie? You were the one who wanted to know".

Sakshi could feel her head spinning around her; this couldn't be real. She gulped the glass of water kept on the table "why can't I remember? Why would I go with a guy?"

Akhil gave a sympathetic shrug "I don't know...I saw you from a distance and called you...when I approached you, the guy was gone and I was not able to see him. You looked stoned and drunk..I guess you probably took a weed or something.."

"No!" Sakshi gritted her teeth "I could never touch drugs!" Akhil looked at Aman "she was passed out when I approached her..I called Amit immediately because the poor guy was so worried about her. When he saw the state she was in, he wasn't too happy".

Sakshi was at loss for words and simply gaped at him in horror and waiting for the worst to come as he continued, looking at her grimly "I didn't tell him about the guy because I knew he would be upset. He simply looked at you and then took you home   anyway".

"Did you see the guy? Who was he?" Aman asked, his worst fears confirming.

Akhil shook his head "he was gone and I didn't wait to stare at him...I thought it could be anyone as there were too many people partying. Sometimes even strangers come and crash the party you know. We can't keep track of all the guests. It's a famous resort".

Aman gazed at Sakshi who had gone blank. He could understand her situation as they were back to the beginning. "Were there cc cameras installed?" He  asked, not willing to give up.

Akhil raised his eyebrows "no! They are no cc cameras!"he threw his hands in frustration "dude! This is a beach resort where all types of people party and go..even the celebs and the famous politicians. I hope you know what would be the consequences if there would be investigation involved".

Aman didn't seem to care "well...we need to alert the cops then..if something serious has happened, we need proof.."

Akhil looked shocked "leave it man! It's been months since that party...why are you guys so worked up on this?"

Aman looked sideways at Sakshi who replied with a sigh "because something has happened and I want to know!"

Akhil took a deep breath and leaned closer "look guys! I understand your predicament but think about it" he whispered "if you're going to involve the cops, a lot is going to happen... everyone attended will be under scrutiny...and to top it all, no one will be able to prove anything. It was a rave party where all types of people gather. Even if you go to the cops, they'll grill you with uncomfortable questions...are you ready for all that?"

Aman looked at Sakshi who stared back at him with a blank look. Clearly, she was thinking what he was. If they go to the cops, everything would come out. And she wasn't even forced to go to the party in the first place. They were trapped.

"What about the girls?"Aman tried one last hitch "Apeksha would know something".

Akhil got up "I can give you her number but I doubt if she would be of much help" he checked his watch "listen guys, I'm really late for the meeting...I wish I could help you more but I can't" he turned to Sakshi with a weak smile "forget it ever happened and move on".

He made a move but she stopped him "please tell me the truth Akhil" she pleaded "I know you were his best friend..you guys shared everything. Did you tell him..about the guy?"

Akhil gave a long hard stare "I...didn't" he stammered and walked out of the cafe.

Aman scratched his head in irritation "shit!"he swore "I'll call Apeksha and ask her...I'm sure she'll help us out".
Sakshi didn't reply and he nudged her "it's okay..we won't give up".

"He knew" she whispered, more to herself "Amit knew...that's why he didn't talk to me for two days..he was hurt..."

Aman, fearing another outburst slowly got up "you know what? Let's go back to Shirin's. You must be exhausted".

"He must have thought I slept with some random guy" Sakshi shook her head "oh God! What did I do?"

"Sakshi?" Aman called her softly "we need to go..come on".

Neither of them spoke on the way back to the apartment. Aman didn't even want to think of the possibility but it flicked his mind; someone had taken advantage of her. He didn't even want to use that word.

He dropped her off to Shirin's and came back after a long night. Don't ask her anything, she's exhausted, he texted Shirin who replied back with okay.

He wasn't hungry and collapsed to bed immediately, his mind awake with thoughts about Sakshi. Will she ever get closure?

He couldn't remember when he had dozed off but the long ring of his phone awakened him. It was Shirin and she was panting.

"Aman? Please come immediately!" she yelled on the phone "it's Sakshi..I don't know where she is!"

◇◇◇◇◇

Shirin was on the couch when he saw her, biting her nails in apprehension.
The moment she saw him, she got up and paced forward "I don't know what happened....she was lying on the couch and very silent. She didn't exchange two words with me. She even refused to have dinner. I thought I'll prepare juice for her but when I came back, she's not here. I searched the whole house".

"Shit!" Aman swore "I hope she didn't go back to her parents". Shirin glared at him "I warned you this isn't good. And yet you won't listen to me".

He ignored her remark and took out his phone to call her. She wouldn't pick.

"God! Where has she gone?"he whispered to himself and tried calling her again and again.

Finally she received and he breathed in relief "where the hell are you?"he demanded. She didn't reply immediately and he realized he was too harsh and softened his tone "We were worried about you...surely you understand".

After a long while he heard her whisper "I'm on the terrace".

He looked at Shirin "she's on the top floor". She gaped at him "what? Hope she hasn't gone there to do something silly".

He understood what she meant and immediately made his way towards the last floor.

He opened the door and searched the deserted area.

She was hurdled on the corner of the bench and he approached her.

"Sakshi?"he called out softly "what are you doing here all alone? Did you even see the time?"

She didn't deter her gaze "I wasn't feeling sleepy". He settled down next to her "I understand your situation but this isn't good for you...this place is deserted...and Shirin was worried for you.."

She didn't reply and simply stared into space. He waited for her to speak and when she didn't, he spoke up "I'll talk to Apeksha tomorrow...will surely come up with something".

Silence followed his statement and he bit his lip in agitation "I know you're upset about Amit..."

She slowly turned her head to look at him "I'm not upset...I'm angry with him". He raised a curious eyebrow "why?"

She pushed a strand of hair back "he didn't talk to me after that night..he pretended that nothing happened. If he knew something, he should have told me instead of shutting me out. We were going to be life partners... how could he do this to me?"she sniffled back tears "now he's gone and I can't even ask him anything...I'm so ashamed of myself. I got carried away by the whim and degraded my identity".

"It's not your fault" he whispered, having a strong urge to hold her hand "I'm sure there has to be a mistake".

"What are you talking about?"she yelled, suddenly clutching his tshirt "are you tone deaf? Didn't you hear what Akhil said? I was drunk and drugged...what sort of a monster have I become? I slept with someone I don't even know! I cheated on Amit...and he's dead and I can't even ask for forgiveness!I'm doomed! I'm  pregnant and I don't even know who the father is!"

He felt his heart wrench at her words and held her in his arms whilst she cried slowly.

Minutes passed before she started talking again "I don't have anyone to support me...no one believes me and why should they? When my own parents deserted me" she wailed "all my life I obeyed my father and did everything according to his wish without questioning anything. I practically lived their life without any expectations and did whatever they wanted me to! And yet, my father hit me in front of everyone! And my mother, she didn't even say anything. She just watched silently without raising her voice while he literally called me a who..."

"He didn't mean anything! It was in the heat of the moment okay?" Aman said hastily, sensing her panic "they expect a lot from us but they also love us in their own weird way".

She paused for a moment to contemplate his words "do you know I despise you a lot?"she looked at his surprised face "yeah...I hated you a lot because you could say everything and anything so easily and get away with it. I hated that I couldn't be a rebel like you...I hated the fact that I couldn't fight back like you did! I hated that I wasn't free...like you".

He gave a small snort at that "you think I love being alone without my family? You think I'm enjoying it?"

She didn't reply and he cupped his face with his hands "wake up Sakshi! This is life! It'll kiss you in one moment but it'll also bite you in the next. No man can escape from the complexities of life...not even me" he gave a huge sigh "I stopped fighting my battles because that's the only way I could embrace myself".

She gazed into his eyes and he realized he was still holding her and slowly released her from his arms "I have a batch mate who's a cop. Although he's stationed in Warsoa, he might have contacts....I won't give up okay?"

She turned her gaze towards the sky "there's no point...you heard what Akhil said...if he starts questioning us, I'll be trapped. And everyone will know and I can't imagine my father if word of it gets out..."

"So what do you plan to do?"he asked "I gave you the sincere advice already..about the baby...that seems to be the only option left now. You can't move on".

Minutes passed before she could reply to that "I guess you're right". Aman gave a small encouraging smile "fine..make an appointment with the doctor ..and not in the hospital you know because it'll create problems" he explained "I'll ask Shirin to accompany you and.."

"No" Sakshi shook her head "I want you to come with me". He raised a curious eyebrow "but I think you'll be more comfortable with her than me".

"It'll be worse if I go alone with her" she replied with a grimace "will you accompany me?"

Although he was puzzled at her request, he didn't feel like denying her now that she was trying to move ahead.

"Okay. We'll fix an appointment and meet with the doctor then" he said, finally feeling lighter than before.

Things would be fine for her, he thought with an innate hope. She would slowly forget the dark phase and lead a normal life which he genuinely wished for her.

That day was yet to come...but not in he had wished.

◇◇◇◇◇

Debu could see his friend in total distraction as he arrived at the studio and decided to confront him.

"You missed the training session again" he reminded Aman who made his way inside the projection room "this is the second time I made an excuse".

"Third time is lucky" Aman snorted. Debu didn't "I'm serious dude....I understand you're going through a crazy phase but this isn't working well for our business....you haven't started a single new painting. There were umpteen calls from our clients asking if there were any new models. And you stopped giving orientation classes entirely. I don't understand what's gotten into you".

Aman listened to his friend badger about his career in silence without arguing with him. There was nothing but truth in his words and Aman realized it was time he kickstarted his career once again.

"Tell them it'll be ready by next month" he said in a bland tone "don't cancel the next orientation. And keep a signing tour next week..let's go to Delhi". He needed to see Deepa as well. After the phone call, he realized he needed to talk to her.

Debu gave a bright smile "hallelujah".
Aman patted his head "I'll be in the work room...have to go through paintings".

He entered the basement where he did most of the technical work.

After he was done, he closed the door and exited through the back door. His phone beeped with the text message from Sakshi. I've sent you the location..be there at five.

He remembered the day they were supposed to meet the doctor for her abortion.

Heaving a huge sigh, he replied with a yes and walked out.

It had been two days since Sakshi had adjusted to stay in Shirin's apartment. Although she looked distraught and sad, she somehow coped with her new room mate. Shirin was nothing but sweet to her and Sakshi felt like she had a sister to rely on.

"Don't worry" Shirin told her "it's the best choice you can make...and it's not even your fault".

"It is" Sakshi said guiltily "that's why I'm agreeing to it".

She had called her friend Yuvika who was frantic with worry "where the hell were you?"her friend had yelled over the phone "I was so scared..is everything okay with you?"

"Er..yeah..I told you I wasn't well so I saw this doctor who told me I was going through depression" Sakshi lied "so I'm on treatment..I even mailed my leave of absence to Dr Shah".

"Yeah Piyush told me...he's furious with you for not informing him" she said in a serious tone "so is Dr Shah.. your frequent leave of absence isn't good for the department, he said. You better get well soon and start coming back to work...you'll feel distracted too".

Sakshi simply agreed, wondering if ever things will be back to normal for her again. There was only a small probability.

Aman had told her that he had spoken to Apeksha and the other girls who were of little help.

"We were together but then I left early but Sakshi said she'll wait for Amit" Apeksha had explained "I don't know what happened later". A little ray of silver lining had been lost with that.

Sakshi fixed the appointment with a rural hospital which was on the outskirts and which wouldn't draw too much attention.

She texted Aman and hoped he would make it on time as she made her way towards her destination on the taxi.

Even though Shirin was friendly and trustworthy, somehow she felt she could be safer with Aman. He was Amit's brother after all and the closest link to her after Amit.

As she thought of her fiancee, her heart welled up; had he known? He had taken the mystery along with him.

She hadn't realized she had reached the hospital and paid the driver. Aman was already waiting for her near the waiting lounge and waved at her.

She gave a weak smile which he returned "are you ready?"he asked as they walked towards the OB GYN section.

"I don't know" she replied earnestly "I'm not sure of anything at this point".

"You'll be fine" he replied "as soon as we are done with it, you'll feel better". But how long, he wasn't sure either but he didn't want to kill her hopes.

They reached the reception and the nurse was seated on the counter "Sakshi Rana, appointment at five" she told her name and the nurse checked the register and nodded "did you get the documents? Your id proof?"

Sakshi showed her the identity card which she had secured in her phone since all her documents were at home and she had never bothered to retrieve.

The nurse took the printout and entered it in the book. After entering the residential address and other formal entries, she looked at Sakshi "spouse name?"

Sakshi bit her lip "is...spouse necessary?" The nurse stared at her warily "yes of course...after few raids and inspections were conducted, the council is very strict...so is the doctor posted here".

Sakshi felt beads of sweat on her forehead; she hadn't anticipated this.

"Aman Shrivastav" Aman was behind her and smiled at the nurse "can you make it quick? My wife's really tired".

The nurse entered the details "okay..can you wait please? There are two patients".

After they were made to sit, Sakshi turned to him "I was planning to say Amit's name" she said "why did you do that?"

"I didn't want to involve my dead brother into this" he said simply and she didn't reply as his phone rang.

"It's Debu, call me once your turn comes" he excused himself and walked towards the corner of the window to speak.

Sakshi took a deep breath and looked around. There were many other women seated, some probably with their husbands and happily holding their hands but some looked bored and disinterested just like her.

She stared at the woman in front of her, probably in her third trimester as her baby bump was heavy and quite visible. The woman caught her eye and smiled. Sakshi smiled back and wavered her gaze towards the wall.

The picture of mother snuggling the new born in her arms caught her attention "beautiful gift of God" was the caption.

She absently ran her hand around her belly feeling pathetic; she was going to kill the gift now.

She wondered how it was gone..will they use any sharp instrument? Will there be pain for the baby? Will it feel?

Her eyes welled up in tears as the nurse called out her name "Sakshi Rana?"

She sat frozen to the chair, her heart beating wildly. "Ma'am?" The nurse nudged her "ultrasound room please".

"Huh?" Sakshi stared at her "there's been a mistake...I'm sorry". Before the nurse could react, she shot up from the chair and walked away hastily.

She didn't even hear someone calling her name or asking her what she was doing here. She didn't even wait for Aman and rushed out of the hospital.

She could hear the loud ringing of the phone and saw that it was Aman. He must be furious, she thought feeling miserable for having to make him run around. But she didn't care if he understood or not. This was her choice not his...

◇◇◇◇◇

"Sakshi? What are you doing here?"

Piyush could recognize her anywhere and wondered what she was doing here of all places.

He had come to the hospital as part of training programme and was about to meet with the doctor when he spotted her.

But she hadn't stopped to talk or listen and walked straight ahead. Curious, he approached the nurses' station "I'm sorry sir...the doctor's busy seeing patient now" the nurse recognized him and greeted.

"That's okay" he waved it off "the girl who walked out just now....was she a patient?"

The nurse saw the direction he pointed and nodded with a shrug "yeah...she came with her husband for a pre natal checkup but ran away when her turn was up".

Piyush felt like being hit with a thunderbolt "h..husband? And pre natal checkup?" Nothing made sense.

"Yeah..he was right here but don't know what happened last moment. These young couple I tell you" the nurse snorted and went back to her work.

"Can I see the register?" He asked.

"Sure".

He saw the name clearly. Aman Shrivastav....

Hi everyone!!
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