She could feel his eyes on him and realised he was hurt. But that wasn't the way to deal with things.

"Can't you see what they're doing to me?" Aman demanded."You should know better, Sakshi. You've been living with such a demon yourself".

"That demon is my father!" Sakshi fumed "Have some respect".

Aman gaped at her in angered silence before speaking up "I can't believe you're siding with them after that happened".

"I'm not siding with anyone" Sakshi snapped before continuing "I'm only pointing to the obvious".

The atmosphere had suddenly turned null as the others simply stared at the two of them as they hadn't bothered with the presence of the elders.

"He's trying to buy me off and you're saying that's the right thing to do?" Aman gaped at her "That's not going to happen".

"I don't know why you feel that way but that's not the way to talk to your parents. You can't disrespect them however you want to" she snapped."Not everyone here is as smart or rebellious as you, so don't think only you have feelings!"  She could feel his angry gaze on her but didn't deter.

"If you think I'm giving in  to whatever they're suggesting..." Aman yelled "I'm not Amit".

"You can never be!" Sakshi retorted, "because when it comes to responsibility,  you shove it off easily...that's what you always did when it came to family. You know I used to think you're a rebel, but now I feel you're a coward who washes his hands off whenever something major is dumped on him".

Aman opened his mouth to retaliate but no words came. Instead, he stormed out before anyone could react.

A tense atmosphere filled the room after his exit. No words were spoken as they had already left the room just after he had.

*******

"Sakshi?" A confused Amrita looked at her sister in law "Aren't you supposed to wear a grand dress?" Sakshi couldn't help but shake her head. The baby shower wasn't something she was looking forward to, given the circumstances.

It had been a week since the family outburst and there was no word spoken regarding the same. Everyone else had pretended like nothing had happened and moved on. As for Aman, she hadn't seen him since; not a call as well.

"I wasn't planning to" Sakshi said in a tense voice "ever since the incident..."

"It's not your fault" Amrita cut her off smoothly "Don't blame yourself... besides,  I'm glad you stood up to Aman. He deserved that backlash"

Surprised, Sakshi gaped at her. It wasn't usual for Amrita to agree with her.

Ever since they had fought, Aman had walked out on them, and she wondered if he would ever come back again. Guilt had eaten her up, since then.

"I don't know...I feel it was wrong on my part to interfere in their matter" Sakshi admitted "and now they're not talking.. all because of me".

"He'll come along...don't worry" Amrita smiled "he's probably too stubborn to admit his mistake..but I know he will".

"I'm sorry for spoiling your day" Sakshi almost felt herself tearing up "he had agreed to come to this special occasion and..I spoiled it".

Amrita sat next to her "I'll keep a separate day for you...just to say sorry..."
Sakshi let out a small smile at that.

"You're still here?" Rishab knocked on the door and looked at them "The prayers are about to start". Amrita gave a quick smile at her sister in law and gestured for her to come along.

Although Sakshi didn't have the heart or the willpower to stay through the ceremony, she eventually gave in.

Once outside, she saw the not-so-huge crowd and yet, found it disturbing. There were relatives, mostly from Rishab's side. She wished Aman were here; at least then she wouldn't feel uncomfortable. But that possibility was gone too and she doubted he would ever come back.

She made her way back to one of the rooms which was secluded and settled on the nearest chair. "Sakshi?" Devaki peeped in, to see her daughter-in-law "Aren't you joining us?"

Sakshi pretended to rub her head "don't feel well maa..I think I'll rest here". Devaki sat next to her, making her uneasy. The conversations between them had always been bare minimum, and she liked it that way. No more explanations and resentments.

"Stay for few minutes and then rest" Devaki requested calmly "there are many relatives present and they're asking for you....I don't want to give unnecessary explanation for you as well.."

The retort hurt but Sakshi let it slide "I don't feel like confronting anyone" she admitted finally "I know none of you are happy after what happened...with Aman.." . Devaki held her hand "you didn't do anything wrong".

Surprised at the revelation, Sakshi gaped at her mother in law "I thought you're angry with me...and you have every reason to..it wasn't in my place to argue or scold him"

"But you did it..and I'm glad you did" Devaki  shrugged "my son is stubborn..and brash sometimes...he doesn't realize what it takes to be  responsible for a family. He doesn't understand the other person's point of view...he speaks his mind without realising the weight of his actions. I'm glad you found a way to shut him up".

Even though Sakshi felt an enormous weight lifting from her shoulders at the guilt she carried,  she wasn't convinced somehow "did you talk to him?"she asked softly.

Devaki gave a small smile in her direction "I did," she replied "I even scolded him for abandoning us".

Sakshi returned the smile, knowing Aman well now "he wouldn't have liked it".

"Well..I told him if he doesn't come today, he can forget his parents" Devaki stated sternly, "he will come, I know it" she got up slowly "when's your next appointment with doctor?"

Sakshi rubbed her belly and got up too "next week". Devaki nodded "I'll come with you". It felt good, Sakshi didn't reply but simply smiled. Atleast there was some nearness between them.

She came out to the main hall where prayers were being held and saw Amrita hand in hand with Rishab taking blessing from her in-laws. She caught sight of her parents who had arrived and her mother waved at her.

She walked over to her mother and hugged her "you've put on weight" Soumya teased her daughter, after pleasantries were exchanged "you're glowing".

"That's because of the food" Amrita teased her back "she likes maa's cooking". A small giggles of laughter followed.

Sakshi saw her father and greeted him. He kissed her forehead "good to see you happy" he gave his rarest smiles.

Although she didn't want to contradict him, Sakshi forced a smile "good to see you too papa" .

"Where's Aman?" He asked, noticing his absence "is he working today?"

Sakshi looked at Devaki who had a blank look "he's still at work...he should have come by now...don't know what's keeping him".

"Why don't you call him beta?" Soumya told her politely "its such a special ocassion for his sister, he shouldn't be missing it".

Sakshi decided to lie "I actually called him twice...he said he's got a meeting.. don't know whether he'll make it today"
Ranjit exchanged an uncomfortable glance at his wife and smiled at his daughter "it's okay...I'm sure there must be lots of work".

Rishab who was overhearing the conversation interjected "won't be the first time....Aman mostly makes excuses for any kind of ocassions" he smirked at his own joke "it's as if...he's allergic to parties...family or not".

"Not all parties....dear jeeju" came a voice from behind and Sakshi turned to see their topic of discussion "I'll be a fool to miss my sister's important day".

Amrita let out a happy squeal and hugged  Aman tightly whilst he did the same "ouch! You're squeezing me here!" He laughed.

"Shut up!"she laughed as well and turned to Sakshi who looked a little surprised but pleased by his arrival "I told you he'd come...he won't miss our special day".

Sakshi met his gaze and wondered how to react and simply gave a brief smile at him which he ignored as he was already speaking to his parents as well as hers.

The function went on smoothly as lots of guests had started arriving, bearing beautiful gifts for the doting parents to be.

Sakshi was tired midway and excused herself to retire to one of the rooms upstairs. Once inside, she felt a shadow behind her and realized his presence.

Before she could ask why he was behind her, he closed the door softly "your mother asked me to go with you" he replied "not that I wanted to".

She didn't know whether to feel relieved or annoyed at his presence "I wasn't feeling well...headache" she murmured, settling on the nearest couch.

A small silence fell around the room a both were speechless to initiate a conversation.

"I'll stay for a while and then go..." he mumbled, feeling uneasy "you can sleep if you want to..." She shook her head "I'm not sleepy".

Again, silence prevailed. Hating every bit of it, she decided to speak first "I thought you won't come..today"

He sat on the edge of the bed "I thought so too...but Amrita called me like a thousand times...so did maa..they emotionally blackmailed me I couldn't chicken out of it..and it was my sister's day and I didn't want to make it all about me".

Sakshi looked at him "Aman...about that night..." he stopped her midsentence "I don't want to discuss it".

"I shouldn't have interfered between you and your father" she went on, "I called you a coward...among so many other things...because I was angry...at you..or more...myself".

He locked his gaze with hers, "you know the real reason why I lashed out at baba?"

Perplexed, she stared at him. He paused for a moment and then explained "all my life, I lived under the shadow of my brother" he sighed "whatever smaller things it maybe, it was always scrutinised at my brother's expense. He would overshadow me in every possible way and that always had made me..insecure, that's the right word".

Absently, she moved closer to him "your brother loved you...there's no way he would ever want to better you...I know that much".

Aman half smiled at that "you don't understand Sakshi..." he shrugged "even when he's gone...far away, I'm obliged to his belongings...like his money, the property...it's not fair you know.."

Sakshi could understand him now..the hurt which she hadn't realized until now; identify crisis.

"You're his twin Aman" she explained "there's no way you won't be compared or scrutinised. It's bound to happen, with your parents. You guys came to this world together you know".

He looked into her eyes. Ample amount of emotions flooded over him and at that moment, he wished nothing but comfort, in her arms. He wished that thought would go away but it didn't. She was too  peaceful to look at.

He withdrew his gaze from her "I should get back you know.." he said, getting up "you need your rest".

She didn't want him to go; there was something urging her to stop him but she didn't. Why was this happening to her?

"Aman?"she called out softly and he turned "I wanted to tell you...about that guy...at the restaurant". Somehow, she felt she should tell him the truth.

He looked at her in confusion "it's okay... like you said, it was none of my business".

"I want to, anyway" she explained and narrated about the incident, who the guy was and how he had found her, that day at the party as he listened wordlessly.

When she was done, he had a surprised look "can we...trust this guy? He could be lying for all we know.."

She simply shrugged "I don't think he lied..I could tell he wasn't. I met him next day hoping for a silver lining but again, the doors of hope closed in on me".

He looked at her in despair "Sakshi? You know it's a dead end right? There's absolutely no one who knows exactly what happened that night.." he spoke softly "I think...you should stop pursuing..for your own good.."

"I can't okay?"she gave a small yelp "you don't know what's it like...to imagine.."

He leaned closer and clasped her hand "I know...but in your condition.."

"I can feel him!"she snapped "do you know I can't sleep at night? I've started getting nightmares! I feel like..some vision..someone touching me..holding me..asking me to be quiet...I don't know whether its an illusion but it's there...so clear..I'm afraid to close my eyes Aman! Thinking what if...he's out there...what if he...does it again..." she broke down and sobbed harder "I can't take it! I can't..."

He gasped at her confession "I'm..." he was speechless, utterly at loss for words
What was he going to say to console her? How could he console her?

"Sakshi..?"he whispered, as he she wailed silently "can I...hold you?"he asked, "I swear to God I won't hurt you...never...ever..."

She breathed hard, and slowly gave a nod. He held her in his arms, stroking her gently "it's okay...everything's going to be okay.."

He didn't know how..but it didnt matter at the moment. Right now, he wanted her to feel safe...in his arms...

***********

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