Clueless, Sakshi walked out with Aman, feeling like vacuum. All she knew was she wanted to get out of that place and away from the torture. But she felt guilty as well.

"Where are we going?"she asked, suddenly realizing the weight of her actions. Aman wasn't exactly a stranger but she couldn't trust him enough to go with him.

"Right now away from our parents" he replied with a heavy sigh as she followed him to the parking lot.

"Wouldn't they be worried?"she voiced her doubt "we've already given them enough reason to be furious with us".

He stopped walking and looked at her "do you want your father to abuse you again and again?"

She bit her lip in anguish "I'm used to his insults. And I don't want you to suffer because of me. I'll go...my separate way".

He raised an angry eyebrow "you're already about to faint. I can't let you alone in this condition"he opened the car door for her.

She blinked hesitantly "where exactly are you taking me?" He could feel her shudder and felt himself loosening up a bit "my apartment" he answered and noticed her fearful expression "I've a friend and neighbor there...she'll take care of you".

Since Sakshi had no strength left to argue with him, she sat on the car while he drove.

They reached his apartment and he gestured towards the next door. Sakshi meekly followed him and watched him ring the doorbell.

"Thank God you're back!" Shirin gave a bright smile, obviously not noticing her and hugged him "your Hero was missing you".

Aman didn't return the hug but stared at her "I need your help". She saw his serious expression and nodded "what's wrong?" Then her eyes darted towards the girl with him.

Aman noticed her confusion "I'll explain to you later...please let her stay here for a while...I've to get back to the studio". Before she could utter any word, he was gone.

◇◇◇◇◇

Shirin stared at the girl in front of her, lying on the bed. Part of her felt sympathy for her and the other part was curious about Aman's stranger.

"I got you juice" she said, still staring at the girl who was almost her age, she thought "you'll feel better".

Sakshi who had her head faced to the other side turned to look at her and Shirin noticed she had been crying. Her face was tear stricken and her eyes looked like they were lifeless. It appeared as if she had lived through the misery.

"Thanks but I can't..." Sakshi said politely "I'm not hungry". Shirin held the glass of apple juice firm in her hands "Aman told me to give you...he said you haven't eaten anything".

Sakshi shook her head "please..let me lie for sometime..tell him I had". Shirin didn't know what to say to that and simply nodded, walking out of the room. What had Aman gotten into this time?she could only muse.

Sakshi watched her go and leaned back on the bed, recounting the events that had occurred in Amit's house.

The soft meowing brought her attention to the corner of the bed and her eyes widened at the ginger cat blinking at her.

"Shoo! Go away" she waved at the cat which simply stared at her with it's bright brown eyes.

"I said go you filthy little..." she pushed the cat which fell out of the bed and gave a loud yelp.

"Easy" Aman entered the room and the cat snuggled against his feet "you almost killed him".

She frowned "he deserves it.. climbing the bed and all.."

"Relax...he's just a cat, not a cheetah" Aman shrugged, holding it in his arms and snuggling it's ears.

"Is he yours?"she asked, sitting up straight and feeling awkward at his presence.

"Yeah...by all laws vested in me" Aman joked "how are you feeling?"

"I'm okay".

He waited for her say more but she bent her head and seemed to be in thought.

Minutes passed when she spoke again "is she your girlfriend?"

Of all the questions he had expected, this wasn't. He gave a snort "we're not living together if that's what you're implying".

"Sorry...I didn't mean to pry" she began but he cut her short "she's my neighbour and we're close...you can stay with her till we figure out..."

"Figure out what?"

He cast a furtive glance at her "figure out what really happened that night. Don't you want to find out?"

She averted her gaze from his "I don't know what to think anymore.." she said leaning back "like my father said, what kind of a girl doesn't know whose child she's carrying?"

"Your father's angry" he explained, not wanting to deteriorate that arrogant man in front of her; he was her father after all "give him some time....till we figure out who's behind all this...scandal".

She let out a sigh "you don't believe me too...I know it". He bit his lip "well...you're not exactly painting a good picture either" he shrugged "it's hard to take in what you said happened that night".

"I'm not asking you to trust me" she gave a snort "when my own parents didn't..."

"It's not the question of trust" he began "it's too complicated for them to believe...especially about something which can't be explained unless we know the truth".

She stared at him, trying to understand the weight his words carried. He continued "so we must find out and let them know...it'll bring you peace as well".

She thought for a long moment "why are you doing this?"she asked "why do you want to help me?"

It was unsurprising as he had expected the question. "Amit would have wanted me to.." he replied "you're his fiancee and I can't let you struggle alone...I owe my brother..".

At the mention of Amit, she felt tears strike her eyes again...it felt like a lifetime now. She missed him more than ever.

Aman noticed it "I'm sorry...I shouldn't have spoken about him" he said hastily. She wiped immediately "no it's okay..it's just..I can't stop thinking about him. He was snatched too soon and this happened...I feel so lonely and desolate...I wish he were here..."

"Same here" Aman agreed truthfully and tried to change the subject "so I called Akhil while I was away..he was in his office and decided to meet tonight...we'll ask him if he knows anything about the party..."

"No!"said Sakshi immediately "I can't talk to him...everyone will get to know...I'll be ruined". Aman felt his heart tug at her words.

She was too naive and fearful. Having a father like Ranjit Rana must have affected her probably, he thought warily. He only wondered how her childhood must have been..always guarded and chained.

"Don't worry...we won't tell anyone about your...er..pregnancy" he explained politely. She looked hesitant at first and then gave a nod.

His phone rang and he excused himself to go to the balcony to speak. When he saw who it was, he received with a sigh. "Hey! What's up?"he asked casually.

"What's up? Seriously?" He could hear his sister yelling at the other end of the line "what the hell's wrong with you? Where did you run off?"

"Home" he answered coolly and waited for his sister to bounce again.
The voice became little softer "is Sakshi with you?"she asked.

"Yeah" he replied "I couldn't just leave her like that".

"She's not your responsibility Aman!" Amrita yelled again "she has her parents...they'll sort out whatever issues they have...do you even realize the consequences of your action?"she huffed "maa's crying uncontrollably and baba's going berserk. So are Sakshi's parents! For God's sake get home as soon as possible and..."

He heard a small commotion and then his father's deep voice filled his ears; so they had called Amrita because they knew he would talk to her.

"Where are you Aman?" Shekhar asked in a serious tone "get home soon...with her".

"I can't" he said simply "not until we find out".

"You should stop this nonsense...her father's alive to sort out things" Shekhar boomed.

"How? By hitting a pregnant woman?" Aman snarled "you guys just watched while he hit her and said insane things...how could you?"

There was brief silence and he continued "they were going to get married baba! She was our responsibility..how could you be so indifferent about your son's fiancee? Amit would have taken care of her... but in his absence we must.."

"I don't want to listen one word about it..I know the girl's lying..even Ranjit thinks so...only you're too stupid to believe her story" Shekhar bellowed.

"Yeah...always been stupid haven't I?" Aman mocked "I'd rather be stupid than to be with geniuses like you".

Again, there was a pause and his father spoke in a hushed whisper "if that's what you think, don't even bother coming back. You have anyways been a big disappointment. You've only given us pain and insults.. only if you would have stayed quiet".

Aman listened to his words in silence, each word hitting like a piercing thorn and then he whispered "yeah.. I should have stayed quiet like I did years ago...you would be happy wouldn't you?"

He could feel his father was at loss for words and hung up before he could say something nasty once again.

When he came back to the room, Sakshi was gawking at him "that was from home, wasn't it?"she asked.

He wondered how much of it had she heard. As if reading his mind, she replied "you left the balcony door open". He gave a small smile and nodded.

"Please don't fall into more trouble because of me" she said softly "I've already messed up my life...I don't want you to mess yours too..at my expense".

"My life's already screwed up" he shrugged with a derisive snort "there's nothing one can do about it".

She ignored the last remark "where are we meeting Akhil?"

"There's a cafe nearby...I asked him to come there" Aman explained and observed her. She looked tense but nodded.

"If you need anything, ask Shirin, she'll help you" he said, trying to diffuse her worry.

"I can't burden her with my problems. It won't look good" Sakshi gave a meek shake of her head.

"Well..do you know anyone you can stay with?"he asked. She didn't answer and bent her head. He took that as a no "what about your friends...or relatives?"

She avoided his gaze when she replied "I have few friends and they stay with their parents...and you should have a pretty fair idea how my relatives will be, considering my father..." she suddenly got up "oh my God! What was I thinking?"she burst out "I have to go back home! I don't have anywhere else to go to! I don't even know what to do alone"

He caught her hand when she took a step ahead "sit down" he said sternly but not intending to sound rude. She stared at him but obeyed although reluctant.

"Do you think your parents will welcome you with open arms?"he asked. She could only gape at him as he continued "your parents are angry and confused...it'll only do more harm to you and your...baby" he stared at her "have you even thought about it?"

"About what?"she asked.

"The baby....how are you going to manage it?"he shrugged "there's only one way and.."

"No!"she almost yelled "I'm not getting rid of it if that's what you're saying". He scratched his head in irritation "you're not thinking clearly...this is the only good option you have. It's best for the future as well.."

She stopped him mid sentence "I'm not giving it up. I'm giving birth to it until we find out who it is".

Aman didn't have the heart to debate with her and simply nodded "if that's what you want" he got up "meanwhile, take rest and make yourself at home. Shirin wouldn't mind at all. She stays alone here and she's a good friend".

"Aman?"she called him when he was near the door and stared at her in puzzlement.

"I don't have your number" she said softly "to contact you..."

He suddenly remembered and took her phone to feed his phone number while she watched.

"Don't send me forward messages" he warned playfully "I hate them".

She had her first smile "I'll keep it in mind" she looked at him "thank you".

He didn't return the gratitude but nodded "I'll call you once Akhil is ready to meet us".

◇◇◇◇◇

When he came out of the bedroom, Shirin was waiting for him as he had expected.

"What's going on Aman?"she demanded as soon as she saw him "first you walk away leaving your cat with me..then you come back after so many days with a mysterious girl who's unwell and ask me to look after her. I don't understand you at all".

Aman sat on the couch and stretched his feet with a sigh "it's too complex... I don't want to go into the details".

Shirin gaped at him "is she your girlfriend?" Aman suddenly laughed and Shirin scowled "what's so funny?"

"You know she asked the same thing" Aman replied but Shirin didn't smile "I'm serious...if you don't tell me what's going on..."

He gestured her to sit next to him "Sakshi is my brother's fiancee" he began and narrated her the whole incident while she listened in shock "oh my God! That's horrifying".

"Yeah..." he admitted "and now she's all alone".

"And pregnant" Shirin reminded "you know what a bad situation you're in? Do you really want to take up the responsibility?"

"I have to" Aman held her hand "till I figure out what to do next, you wouldn't mind her staying here would you?" She smiled "of course not...but this is huge Aman..think about it".

"I've already decided I'll help her" he replied firmly "I'm doing this for Amit".

As he said it, he couldn't shake the feeling that things wouldn't be easy as he had hoped.

Truth was too far...buried too deep...

◇◇◇◇◇

Akhil checked his watch and at the front door of the cafe. He was already late for the meeting with his client after work. But Aman had called suddenly and asked to meet him saying it was urgent. Akhil wondered what it was.

Ever since Amit's accident, they weren't exactly close. He hardly had time to speak to Aman as he was too busy engrossed in his work.

He took his phone to call when he spotted Aman making his way inside but he wasn't alone, Akhil noticed.

It was Sakshi, he recognized as they approached. But she looked different. She had lost her charm and looked pale and weak. Amit's death must have hit her hard, he thought in dejection.

"Sorry to keep you waiting" Aman announced as they sat opposite to him, Sakshi rather shyly.

"It's okay" Akhil gave a warm smile "hi Sakshi..how are you doing?" She smiled wryly but looked at Aman to start the conversation.

"We need your help" Aman began slowly "we wanted to ask you about the beach party that you hosted on the occasion of your promotion".

Akhil lost his smile and gaped at him "I don't understand..that was months ago. What's there to ask?"

Sakshi looked tense but Aman gave her an encouraging smile before turning to Akhil "I know you're confused but Sakshi's scared...she passed out on that night and doesn't remember anything that night.."he looked at her for explanation.

She cleared her throat "I wanted to ask Amit but he didn't tell me anything. And two days later..he passed away...I want to know if you've noticed anything unusual that night. You were with Amit the whole time weren't you?"

Even though Akhil was puzzled by the explanation, he nodded "yes but I didn't...notice. You were with the girls while we boys went out for the swim".

"Yes I do know that" she said hopefully "what happened after that?"

Akhil avoided her gaze and Aman could see him fidgeting. After a while, checked his watch "you know what guys? I'm getting late...I'll call you later okay?"he got up but Aman pulled him back "I think you know what happened..please tell us".

Akhil shook his head "I don't okay? Even if I did, what's the point? It happened months ago. Why're you worried about it now?"

"Tell us Akhil!" Aman didn't sound nice this time "atleast for Sakshi's sake".

Akhil gave a huge sigh and they waited in baited breath for him to speak. And he finally did.

"After we changed and came back to the resort, Apeksha and the other girls were gone. And Amit couldn't find you. He panicked and we started searching for you because he was too scared. He asked me to search inside the resort while he rushed to the beach. I ran upstairs and then I saw you coming out of the lounge with a guy".

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