As Sakshi entered the living room after having come back meeting Aman, she couldn't help but overhear her aunt and her father in an argument.

"What in the world is wrong with you?" Roopa asked in a shocked tone "you want to give your daughter to her dead fiancee's brother?"

"They love Sakshi as their own jeeji" Ranjit said "Shekhar came to me this morning about the proposal. He was insistent I think about it. Our daughter will be happy there since we already know them".

"What does this boy do?" Roopa asked in a stern tone "is he an engineer too?"

"Yes" Ranjit lied, much to Sakshi's amazement "he works for a company in Pune. He earns well".

"I'm not sure Ranjit" Roopa voiced her doubt "I still feel you should think about the guy I told you last time. They're very traditional and religious".

"I've made my decision" Ranjit said in a strict voice, which might have intimidated his sister as well "there's no changing it".

"Since you've already made the decision..." Roopa's voice faltered "people are going to talk, you know that. There will be lot of questions".

"I'll handle them" he replied firmly as if the matter was settled as she sensed his polite dismissal and slowly sauntered out of the room.

"Sakshi?" Soumya nudged her "what's wrong? Are you okay?"

Sakshi who was listening to the conversation suddenly  blinked "I'm fine mama" she stammered in fear "what was papa discussing with badi buaa? Is he serious?"

Soumya looked concerned "he told me about your alliance with Amit's brother" she said in a dull tone "I was surprised at first but it felt right under the circumstances".

"No it isn't!" Sakshi said "I had told papa I'll think about it...how could he plan without asking me?"

Soumya led her to the couch and sat next to her "Shekhar bhai saab was here with Devaki...your father called them to discuss about the wedding. They have accepted and are looking forward to it".

Sakshi bit her lip in frustration "I can't marry Aman" she whispered "he's Amit's brother...I can't even think of him as my..." she shook her head "please do something mama".

Soumya placed a hand over her shoulder "it's your father's decision but I support it" she explained slowly "whatever he's doing, it's only for your well being".

"Yes but I didn't want this mama" Sakshi cried "it's been few months since Amit's death" her heart ached when she said his name "I can't just forget everything and move on like he didn't matter to me".

"This isn't a normal situation for us beta" Soumya stated "you're pregnant and single...you don't even want to give up the child. Even though we are with you, it's not as easy as it seems to be".

Sakshi rubbed her aching forehead, digesting her mother's words "I can't get rid of the baby...please don't make me" she hugged her mother.

"Then you must understand your parents' dilemma. Do you think we would simply watch you go through the humiliation alone?" Soumya asked in a painful tone "put yourself in our shoes for once and think about it".

Sakshi blinked back tears, understanding the naked truth behind her mother's words.

She had to tell Aman that she was helpless. But he had clearly stated he was seeing Deepa.

She decided to call him and explain everything before it was too late.

◇◇◇◇◇

Aman opened the door of his brother's room and entered slowly. The room was eerily quiet and untouched, he observed in poignancy.

Even though the new house didn't hold any memories for him, he couldn't help but feel nostalgic when he sat on the chair where Amit would work on his laptop. Ever since his death, he had never set foot inside this room.

He felt his throat constrict as he saw the laptop carefully kept on the table with all other gadgets.

He stretched himself on the bed, his mind wandering off to the last moments they shared before Amit had left to Surat.

Why did you go you idiot? His heart cried for the umpteenth time; why did you leave me alone to clean up the mess?

He didn't realize how long he had dozed off and heard his mother call his name.

The door creaked open and Devaki saw him when she entered. "Dinner's ready" she said with a smile but faded when she looked around the room.

"Do you want to shift to this room?"she asked, stroking his hair. Aman sat up straight "of course not!"he exclaimed "I'm comfortable in the other room".

"But it's small compared to this" she remarked "your father said we'll shift your things here since that room won't be enough after your marriage".

He saw her stiffen at the last word "I'm fine maa...don't replace my identity with his, just like tying his fiancee to me".

He watched his mother's expression change and bit his lip for having said such harsh words "I'm sorry" he said "I know you're not into this as well".

Devaki stared at him "no I don't want this for you..."she said softly "I didn't want any of this...but things won't work the way we want. That's life isn't it?" He didn't reply and looked out of the window.

Her eyes darted towards the cat which had curled up and was fast asleep. "It's a beautiful cat" she said with a smile "I'm glad you brought him home".

"Yeah...I persuaded baba that he comes with me" Aman shrugged "he's the only one who understands me".

Devaki ignored the jibe and turned to him "Amrita called...they're hosting a baby shower this week as her due date is approaching. She wasn't so keen but Rishab was adamant that they go on with it".

Aman could imagine the jerk of his brother in law dominating everything in their lives but didn't voice it out. His mother didn't need it, especially now.

"When's the baby due?"he asked, concerned for his sister. "Two more months" Devaki replied in a worried glance "let's pray everything goes on smoothly and she and the baby are fine". He simply nodded.

"What about Sakshi?" Devaki asked, directing her gaze at him "how is she?"

"Fine I guess...how do I know?"he frowned, averting his eyes from her.

"She was at your place so I thought you two must be close by now" Devaki's voice had a sharp edge to it which he couldn't miss "atleast you won't be marrying a stranger".

"I only helped her when she needed it" he exclaimed "why does everyone think there's something between us?"

"I don't know Aman..." Devaki gave a brief glance "I don't know what's happening because you've pushed us far away".

"And yet I'm back aren't I?" Aman said impatiently "I'm trying to make things better but baba's being stubborn as usual. Tell me.." he looked at his mother intensely "why would he agree to this marriage? I know him. He would never accept Sakshi or her baby after everything that happened. How did her father convince him?"

Devaki met his intense gaze and finally looked away "I don't know anything about it and he never discussed with me".

The conversation came to a halt with the sudden ringing of the phone and Aman noticed Sakshi's name on the screen.

"It's her isn't it?" Devaki was right behind him and he winced "she needs help I guess". She didn't reply but walked out.

Aman received the call with a small hope that Sakshi would have successfully evaded the proposal with her father.

"Hey what's up?"he asked before she could speak "did you talk to your father?" A brief silence fell on the other side and he could sense her hesitation.

"What's wrong?"he asked again "what did he say?"

"He's already told our relatives about us...I'm totally blank. I don't know what to do" she replied after a long gap.

"You don't know?"his voice had gotten  higher "you told me you'll handle everything!"

"I know!"she said sounding desperate "but things aren't the same now...papa isn't in a condition to listen to me".

"So you're giving up?"he roared into the phone in anger "after everything we discussed".

"I'm not in the position to fight with him Aman!"she yelled "speaking of which, even you could have tried too! You're in the same boat as me!"

"I'm not the one who's pregnant and messed up!"he snarled "and yet I've to clean up the mess you made!"he huffed "you know Shirin was right! I shouldnt have gotten involved with you or your freak family!"

Even when he said it, he found himself tongue tied but the words were already out and loud enough and there was nothing he could do about it.

Complete silence fell and he realized the impact it created. "Sakshi?"he whispered "I'm sorry I..."

"No!"she stopped him mid track "you're right...I'm the one who got us into this mess. But I didn't ask you to help me. I never asked you for anything! Why did you bother about me then?"

"I said I'm sorry ...it was in the heat of the moment..."

"Don't" she stopped him again "we'll do just as our elders say...and then I'll find a way to rid of you forever...don't worry. You won't have to put up with my freak family anymore".

"Sakshi listen to me.." he tried in vain as the call was disconnected.

Damn you Aman! He cursed himself. Even though the circumstances weren't in his favour, he knew that wasn't what he had to say. She was pregnant and struggling alone and definitely not ready to hear what he had spoken in the spur of the moment.

He threw the phone aside and lay on the bed, thinking. He thought about Deepa and how he was going to confront her. It wasn't going to be easy.

But he would tell her everything. She was the only one who would understand her, he thought in conviction. She would advise him what to do.

◇◇◇◇◇

Deepa was busy packing when her phone rang continuously. She zipped the trolley bag and went to receive the call which was from Akhil.

"I'm trying to reach you since yesterday" he said in a cheerful voice "but you seem to be busy".

"Because I am" she said with a small chuckle "I've to catch a flight to Delhi tonight".

"Really? I thought you were staying here for good" he said.

"I've two important clients who are getting married....after I'm done with their makeup, I'm flying back" she replied "what's up with you Akhil?"

"I'm leaving to States tonight" he said and she could feel his excited tone "for the training".

"That's great!" She said in a genuine concern "I'm glad you got this promotion".

"So have you heard from Aman lately?"he asked, his tone changing a little.

"Yeah...he was supposed to meet me now" she replied with a smile. He had called her stating he wanted to tell her something. She couldn't help but feel elated at the thought; he was probably going to discuss about the date which never happened as he was busy.

"I really thought you guys were serious" Akhil said in a low voice "I never expected Aman to get married like that...to Sakshi".

Deepa suddenly felt a sharp jolt of shock at his words "what are you talking about? You're kidding right?"

"I thought he told you about Sakshi" Akhil said slowly and she blinked "told me what exactly?" Nothing he said made any sense to her.

There was a brief pause "Sakshi's pregnant...and she claims to have been drugged during the party I hosted..."

"Oh my God!" Deepa exclaimed "when did this happen?" She couldn't understand one thing though; if Aman had known, why didn't he tell her? They were getting close weren't they?

"That's what the girls told me..he's very protective around her. He even made her stay in his place and they were trying to solve the puzzle together....and then the next thing I know, they're going to get married soon..." Akhil explained while Deepa listened in stunned silence.

"Wh..why is he marrying her?"she asked briefly after finding the ability to speak as she was too stupefied about the information.

"Beats me" Akhil replied "anyway...I'm sorry for breaking it for you. I hope they didn't end up sleeping together at the party...you never know. She was drugged and..."

"No way!" Deepa almost yelled "he left the party immediately...he wasn't there".

"Are you sure?" Akhil sounded worried "because I felt I saw him hanging around with her later".

Deepa felt bile rise to her throat. What was the truth? She couldn't talk further and hung up, throwing the phone to the floor which crashed.

And then the doorbell rang....

Hi everyone!!
How was the chapter? Please vote and comment...
I'm really sorry for the late update as I was too busy with my own personal schedule..(really sorry to keep y'all waiting 😫😫)
The future updates are going to be slow so please bear with me(I'll try my best to write faster but I don't want to guarantee and give false hope to y'all ..)

Have a great day ahead ❤❤❤

I know the chapter is too small but I'll make up for it later...