The last time he had spoken to her was when she had gone back to her parents. He received the call wondering if her father had tortured her again.

"I've to take this" he told Deepa who had seen the name on his phone screen "who's Sakshi?"she asked in a curious tone.

He wasn't ready to tell her yet "a friend" he said and got up from the couch and moved towards the balcony.

"What's wrong? Are you okay?"he asked after receiving the call. He could hear Sakshi's sobs on the other end "you're scaring me" he yelled slightly "will you tell me what's going on? Where are you?"

"Aman? Can you come to the city hospital?"she said, her voice breaking down "it's papa...he's..not well..please can you come? I'm so..scared!"

He could feel the desperation and realized it was very serious "is he alright?"he asked.

"He's taken inside the emergency room!"she cried "I don't know..mama's going crazy and I'm so scared!"she kept repeating.

"Okay..I'll be right there" he hung up, feeling distraught.

Deepa was still in the couch when he returned "you look upset...is everything okay?"

He held her arm gently "I hope so" he smiled "I hate to leave you like this but I need to be somewhere and it's urgent" he kissed her palm "I'll explain later okay? We have to plan that date too remember?"

She giggled and kissed his cheeks softly "I'll be waiting..I've postponed my Delhi flight anyway".

She couldn't have looked cuter when she said that and he kissed her briefly but with passion.

"I'll be right back" he said, pocketing his car keys. She watched him go with a feeling of adoration.

They were finally meant to be. He was hers and there was no changing it.

◇◇◇◇◇

Aman reached the hospital and made his way towards the emergency room. He spotted Sakshi who was leaning back on one of the benches in the waiting lounge.

He approached her and saw that she had closed her eyes. "Sakshi?"he called softly and she turned to look at him. "Where is he?" Aman asked, sitting next to her.

"They've taken him for angiogram" she explained and caught his perplexed look "it's to check for heart blocks"she added "maa went with him and asked me to rest...I was too tired to walk".

"What happened?"he asked as her eyes welled with tears. She wiped her eyes "he was fine and atleast looked happy to see me back. I'm not sure what exactly happened but my aunt and his sister called and he was speaking to her on the phone. She told him she was coming to visit and he didn't look pleased with it. I was in my room going to sleep when I heard my mother yelling that he had collapsed on the floor. He had vomited a lot and clutched his hand to his shoulder. I suspected a heart attack and we rushed him to the nearest hospital".

She took a deep breath and continued "I was so panicky and didn't know what to do, whom to call...then I remembered you and..." she paused to consider her action "I'm sorry for bothering you...I'm sound so stupid right now..."

"Hey!"he caught her hand "you did the right thing okay? I asked you to call me if you need anything..and you did just that. Don't worry about feeling sorry and stuff".

"I should have listened to you" she shook her head in desolation "I shouldn't have gone home...it's all because of me".

He clasped her hand "stop blaming yourself...it was bound to happen". She removed her hand from his "can't you see it? My father's struggling for his life because of me! I almost cost him his life! I'm to blame for everything that's been happening!"

He pulled her closer and she hugged him, all the while crying silently. He wanted to tell her that it wasn't her fault; if she had someone to blame, it would be him. If only he hadn't given Amit the idea of taking her, it wouldn't have been the same. She would have a better shot at life.

"Shh!"he consoled her "he'll be fine Sakshi...nothing's going to happen to him". She nodded against his chest "if it does, I would never be able to forgive myself!"

Moments passed in feeble silence until he got up "do you want to have something? You look weak". She gave a small nod "I'll have tea".

He came back from the canteen with two cups of tea as she waited in the same spot.

"Maa called...they're done with the angiogram..she says they're shifting him to a room" Sakshi explained as they sipped the tea.

"Let's go then" he said and she looked hesitant "I don't want to go...can you ask them if he's okay?"

Aman raised a surprised eyebrow and she shrugged "I don't want to face him...I can't..."

"It's going to be fine..I'm sure he'll feel better if he sees you" he urged her.

Although reluctant, she agreed.

◇◇◇◇◇

The cardiac surgeon checked the report and turned to Sakshi who was in the consulting room and looked fearful.

"There seems to be no block as such" he gave a brief smile "although it was a minor anginal attack, he needs plenty of rest and relaxation. We need to administer certain injections so we need to admit him for few more days for observation". He went on to explain the further investigations as she listened.

Sakshi heaved a sigh of relief and came out of the consulting room to see Aman waiting for her.

"What did he say?"he asked as soon as he saw her. She explained to him what the doctor had informed.

He looked relieved "see? I told you there's nothing serious". She didn't look convinced "but he also said it might trigger later on, if untreated... or if papa takes too much stress".

Aman gave a sympathetic smile "your father's a strong man....I'm sure he'll overcome any stress". She smiled back "I hope so" she looked at him "let's go see him".

He shook his head "you carry on...I'll come some other time..when he's on medication and sedated". This time, she laughed "you're really scared of him, aren't you?"

He scratched his head in embarrassment "I'm not scared..it feels awkward considering I literally pushed him off from hitting you".

"Yeah...I don't think he has been intimidated like that before" she admitted "you were on fire that day".

He didn't reply to that but patted her arm "I've to go...it's late and I've to get back to the studio to meet Debu".

She watched him go with a feeling of admiration. Few months back, she had begun to loath him because of the things she had heard. But now a friendly bond had been built between them and she couldn't be happier that she had found an unlikely yet trustworthy friendship with him. And prayed things stayed the same that way.

It would have, if only...

◇◇◇◇◇

When she entered the room, the nurse was already present and administering the antibiotic injection through the iv cannula.

Her father looked weaker than he looked in years and her heart melted at the sight of him, lying on the bed with cannula attached to his wrist.

He saw her and gave a feeble smile which she returned. After the nurse was done and left the room, she sat on the edge of the bed and close to him.

"The doctor said you're going to be okay" she forced a bright smile at him "a week and you'll be home all perfect and healthy".

He gave a small bob of his head "I'm getting old my child" he sighed "there's little the doctors can do about it".

"Papa! You mustn't say such things" she chided "you're in your fifties...it's not so big of an age".

He snorted but held her hand and looked at his wife "I'm going to become a grandfather soon...I'm still old".

Soumya gave a weak smile "your father must rest...let him sleep" she told her daughter.

Sakshi got up but her father caught her hand "where is Aman?"he asked.
She stared at him in confusion as to how he knew the fact that Aman was here.

"Soumya told me" he replied, observing her quizzical look "where is he? I want to meet him".

"Papa! I can explain!"she said hastily, worried about another outburst "he didn't come...it was me who called him..."

"Relax" he smiled, cutting her off "I'm not angry with him...I only want to talk and thank him for looking out for you".

She stared at him, unable to believe "he left...but I'll call him".

Just then, the door clicked and an elderly woman made her way inside.

"Ranjit?" Roopa groaned, stepping beside her younger brother "oh my God! How did it happen? Weren't you fine?"

"I'm alright jeeji" he gave a hearty smile at his only sister "just a small chest pain".

"All the stress that you take!" Roopa groaned and turned to her niece "I hope no one's giving you hard time". Her stern glance told Sakshi that something was amiss.

Remembering she hadn't greeted her aunt, Sakshi immediately touched her feet and said a quick pranam.

"You've forgotten your courtesies" Roopa remarked with a scorn. Sakshi didn't reply and forced a smile "I was too occupied by papa's health...sorry badi buaa".

"It's okay...I hope you're taking care of my brother just like we had" Roopa reminded her "I was worried about him because he hadn't visited us since a long time".

Ranjit leaned against the pillow for support and sat slowly "I was busy jeeji..and besides, with the demise of a close member, we were preoccupied by the tragedy".

Roopa nodded, her expression softening "I'm sorry for the loss as well...it was indeed a miserable time for you.. may God give you strength to bear all the grief".

"We're moving on, thank Almighty" Ranjit said with a weak smile "I'm glad you came".

But I'm not, Sakshi wanted to scream but exchanged a worried glance at her mother who looked equally apprehensive.

Ranjit hailed from an ultra orthodox family and was based in the ancestral village near Jaunpur. He had been raised by his strict parents who had developed the same traditions in their son and daughter who followed them without any inhibitions.

Roopa didn't get much education and had to discontinue her studies since her parents wanted her to get married soon and settle in life. Meanwhile, Ranjit studied commerce and went on to migrate to Mumbai, got married and never looked back.

His sister wasn't keen on him educating his daughter, she kept on pressurising him to get her married.

"A girl needs her education jeeji" he had explained "it's the greatest asset we can give her". Roopa who had two sons of her own, rolled her eyes "you don't know what these girls do in the name of education and colleges.... don't say later that I told you so".

She would even pick on Soumya for not having another kid "children are a blessing of God. I wish you would have had a son...if only one". Soumya had kept quiet only for the sake of her husband "I'm very happy with the daughter I have jeeji" she had said with a smile "I know she'll make us proud just like any son would do".

Since then, both mother and daughter would dread the older woman's visit which was nothing short of a nightmare.

And now she was here, at a time like this.

"I think we should leave papa alone" Sakshi said, patting her father's arm "the doctor said he mustn't talk too much".

"These doctors don't know anything except minting money" Roopa snapped "I'm staying with my brother. You'll can go and have your beauty rest".

Sakshi tried to snap back but Ranjit intervened "Sakshi's right jeeji" he said "I'm feeling sleepy too...and besides, you just came from a long journey. Why don't you go home and rest?"

Roopa looked like she was going to retort but she agreed, much to Sakshi's relief "I'll see you tomorrow then...I'll make your favourite soup" she added with a smile.

She walked out with Sakshi who was happy to escort her out. For now, they had to be discreet...

◇◇◇◇◇

"So what happened?" Debu asked excitedly "did your oh so friendship bloom into something else?"

Aman took a fork full of noodles into his mouth when he answered "yeah...we're officially dating now".

"Atta boy!" Debu cackled "trust me dude, it's for the best..now the only thing remaining for you is to get hitched..if you know what I mean" he added with a malicious wink.

"Shut up Deb!" Aman snapped but jovially "I'm not going...that far" he rolled his eyes "we'll get to know each other on a present basis..since the past wasn't shining on us".

They were having dinner at his favourite Chinese joint and relaxing after a heavy day.

"I've been meaning to ask you" Debu sipped his ginger tea "what went wrong back then? Too young to kiss?"

Aman frowned "you're so physical... it destroys the whole idea of romance". Debu raised an amused eyebrow "and here I thought you weren't a romantic".

"I'm not okay?" Aman shrugged "hell! I don't even know how to move further...the only thing I want to do when I see her is..kiss her".

"And you lecture me about getting physical" Debu snapped "so why didn't things work out during college?"

Aman let out a deep sigh and kept his plate aside. He had told about his crush on Deepa with his brother but he hadn't told the real season why he hadn't approached her.

"Well..there was this farewell party and it was huge...we were having fun since it was our last night together as college mates" he felt nostalgic "as usual, I tried getting close to Deepa and even spoke to her but couldn't bring myself to ask her out. But when I saw her and realized this was our last moment together. I won't be seeing her again anymore. So I mustered the courage to tell her how I felt".

"Wow! That was....deep" Debu listened seriously. Aman nodded "after the party was getting thinner, I searched for her and someone told me she was in the backyard. I found her in the small gazebo but she wasn't alone. She was kissing someone, I don't know who as I couldn't make out with all the dimly lit lights" he leaned back as if it still hurt him "I was too frozen to step ahead...I somehow gathered myself and walked back...I ran away from the party and haven't made an attempt to contact her...neither did she. I know now it must have a fling or a passing affair but I couldn't bring myself to ask her out again...so I decided to forget about her".

"Until the beach party" Debu said, suddenly thoughtful "seems strange isn't it? All this while she was oblivious to your existence and now suddenly she's so interested".

"What do you mean?" Aman asked in confusion. Debu gave a casual shrug "I don't know man...did you even ask what made her pursue you after just one night of fun...which never happened?"

Before Aman could reply, his phone rang and he saw it was Sakshi.

"Hi Aman" she said and he realized she sounded relaxed than the last time he had seen her. It had been two days since her father was admitted and it looked like he was recovering well.

"Hope I'm not disturbing you" she added. "You know, you should stop saying this sentence..it's beginning to annoy me" he teased.

She laughed "then I'll use it more often...to annoy you".

"Is this why you called me...to disturb?"

"No! Actually papa wants to meet you" she said and his eyes widened "what? Is he going to sue me for manhandling him?"

She laughed again "he said he wants to thank you...for everything you did for me" she explained "why don't you meet him once? By the way your parents were here yesterday.."

"Really?"he was surprised "how were they?"

"Shocked to see me actually" she giggled "but once papa explained, they were fine. I hope they have it in their heart to take you back".

"Let's not dwell there Sakshi" he said in dismissal "I'm glad you're doing well".

"So...you'll come to see papa isn't it?"she asked and he knew she wasn't going to relent "please Aman...for my sake".

He found himself agreeing...

◇◇◇◇◇

Sakshi! I'm going to kill you, he thought as he grudgingly made his way towards the special wards section.

If it wasn't for her, he would have refrained from seeing her father. It felt embarrassing and awkward now.

He pressed the doorbell and her mother opened the door with a smile, for which he was grateful.

He walked closer to the bed and glanced at the older man "um..how are you?"he asked, unable to come up with anything else. Sakshi wasn't even present and he felt all the more awkward.

"Better than yesterday" Ranjit said in a bland tone "they've asked to stay for a couple of days more...probably few more tests". Aman simply nodded.

Ranjit turned to his wife "Soumya? Can you leave us alone for sometime?" Even through she looked perplexed, Soumya walked out, closing the door behind her.

Aman felt his heartbeat rise; was this man going to accuse him? He never really believed Sakshi's father.

"I know the timing and place isn't right to ask such thing" Ranjit began "but I need you to do something for me".

Aman stared at him in bewilderment "what is it? I'll help you if I can" he added, feeling a tad bit pity for the older man.

Ranjit took a deep breath "I want you to marry my daughter".

Hi everyone!!
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