Mayank had become a lachrymose mourner. He wanted to wail out aloud tangled up with unbearable emotions but forced himself to silently mourn as tears flowed non stop. He stood up quietly and walked out of the room.

The heart wrenching pain and the feeling of guilt was consuming him in a tandem. His face was etched with pain and he looked miserable with swollen and deep red eyes.

Prabir noticed that he had left the food untouched beside the glass of water which was still full to the brim.

"Mayank... go abroad and work hard. Try to live up to her dreams and become one of the best neurosurgeons' in the world. That is the least you can do for her,"Prabir suggested, as Mayank stood paralyzed and almost lifeless listening to him. He looked back over his shoulder at Prabir and mumbled, " I will."

Prabir quickly paced up to him and placed his right hand on Mayank's left shoulder. He felt reluctant to speak out his mind.

Lost in his own mental maze, he feebly mumbled, " Mayank, if you truly love Keya...help save lives and support people."

Mayank mutely nodded and left with his people, caught up in an emotional mayhem.

Manoj was called up by Sarvesh and he left with his chauffeur soon after Mayank left.

Dhruv was still lingering around Parul, enquiring her about Sarvesh," Does he belong to a very rich family Parul? How could he get you drunk? I mean you are only fifteen..."

Then turning towards Prabir he quizzed, "You consider that as a punishment...bathing two tiny kittens?"

"He got them all drunk and high but managed to bring them back home safe and sound.

He took full responsibility for his reckless deed," Prabir sighed. 

"Then why did you ask him to bathe those kittens?" Dhruv asked shocked.

"Sarvesh had those apologetic puppy like eyes because he felt that he had broken my trust and I will never let him meet Paru or take her out again.

He made Bhargu, Maa and me worry a lot yesterday. Paru or Bhawu have never stayed out till 11 in the night.

Baba doesn't know that Paru returned so late yesterday, else she would have been grounded for weeks.

But still he's just a kid and I didn't want to be very harsh with him.

Thus this was an apt punishment for him," Prabir said making a smug face.

"Joining a dance class too is not a punishment Bhaiya," Parul cheerfully said relieved now that Mayank and his men had already left, as the house  again felt peaceful, though she missed Sarvesh's presence.

"Paru...baby. Why do you encourage Sarvesh every single time he has such stupid ideas in his mind?

You know how much Baba hates drinking and smoking ...don't you Paru?

Imagine how bad he would have felt if he was still awake while you returned home yesterday," Prabir softly whispered fixing her gaze on him, lifting up her chin gently with his left hand.

"I am sorry Bhaiya," Parul mumbled slowly trying to avoid meeting his eyes.

"I won't tolerate this next time Paru... be careful. Go and study now.

I'll go and take a shower. I have made some snacks for you two as I need to go to the hospital...a lot of explaining is being awaited from me," Prabir informed and strolled upstairs to his room.

After having taken a shower, he put on a black shirt paired with formal grey pants and raced downstairs with some books from his study table.

Handing the books to Dhruv in the living room who was idly watching the television he said softly, " Dhruv...here are some autobiographies of famous personalities and some of my favorite books."

"You want me to read these?" Dhruv inquired curiously.

"I will try my best to get you admitted in a good school so that you can complete your education, but even if that's not possible no one can stop you from learning.

I will speak with Bhairav Uncle today and see if he can give you some work or if you can help him manage his business," Prabir said genuinely.

Dhruv said quietly, " Thank you", and started to admire the book covers before deciding on what he should be reading first.

Prabir called up Parul asking her to lock the doors before he left.

When Prabir entered Bhargavi's house, the door was wide open and he saw Bhawani seated in the living room watching the television. She pleaded him to come in with gestures and he swiftly walked up to her and perched beside her on the sofa.

"Where is Maa and Bhargu?" Prabir enquired hastily in soft whispers.

"Di is in the kitchen and Maa is watering the plants in the terrace," Bhawani replied in a low voice.

Prabir rushed into the kitchen without any further questions and asked edgily, "Bhargu...you promised to stay away from the kitchen?"

"I was just making some tea," she mumbled back, startled by his surprise visit.

"You stand back and let me make the tea okay?" Prabir insisted.

"Okay!" She replied and stepped back instantly.

"Prabu why are you sheltering that trash in your house and how long are you planning to let him stay?

Why didn't you bring Parul along?....
I mean you can't leave her alone in that house with a bunch of men.

Mayank Sinha is not a trustworthy person Prabir and he can go to any extent. He can ruin someone's life without even sparing a single thought about it.

Those three gunmen of his can't be trusted either as they only are accustomed to following orders without using their brains," Bhargavi rattled on desperately.

Prabir added some tea leaves to the boiling water and uttered," Relax! Bhargu. Mayank has already left with his guards."

"That's a relief ! I am glad. Finally we are not flogging a dead horse.

I can make neither head nor tail of what you are doing Prabir," Bhargavi tenaciously continued as she held his right arm and chuckled," Should I be impressed or horrified?
The MasterChef is unable to distinguish between salt and sugar ? Is that a beautiful delusion you are lost in Prabir?"

Prabir was awestruck. He placed the salt jar aside and added sugar instead. He then turned around with moist eyes and whispered, " Bhargu...I still can't believe that Keya decided to put an end to her life because of that scumbag.

Mayank's father had threatened him that if he didn't leave... for studying abroad or married Keya, he would be risking her life and ...all of this was only because she was a year older than him.

Mayank broke up with her and decided to go abroad not wanting to infuriate his father.... considering Keya's safety and wanting to protect his beloved.

However, he never portrayed how pathetically ridiculous a person Nishwas Sinha is or how he could harm her and all her hopes were shattered when Mayank informed her that he was breaking up with her. The very next day she..."

"Then why did she threaten me?" Bhargavi enquired anxiously.

"It was an emotional outburst Bhargu. She was extremely jealous that you had me but she had nobody...
Mayank had decided to break up with her and wanted to leave without making any commitments for the future.

She always got whatever she asked for ...throughout her life Bhargu. Never once was she denied anything since childhood but life.... isn't fair and one cannot always have what you want. This harsh reality hit her hard.

She was driven crazy with the thought of letting go Mayank. She might have felt betrayed and used. What she thought was LOVE seemed to be a part of a game for Mayank or maybe a child's play," Prabir clarified Keya's point of view.

"I assume Mayank never wanted to speak about his father with Keya...owing to the nasty personality his father possesses," Bhargavi sighed.

Prabir quickly poured tea in small cups with trembling hands.

"Are you okay Prabu?" Bhargavi asked   feebly.

He hugged her tightly and nuzzled his face in her neck.
He wanted to see her smile and hold her in his arms forever as the dreadful sight of her getting caught up in a fire resurfaced in his head from the treacherous dream he had seen.

As his face rubbed against her neck, she yelped," Mind having a shave Prabu if you don't want to be called a porcupine?"

He gently raised his head to carefully examine her features and again dipped his head in her neck with a smile and gasped," You can call me a porcupine or a hedgehog or anything you want. I don't care baby.
Just promise me that you will stay away from fire ....even the kitchen stove."

Prabir quickly drew his hands back and stood up erect with an apologetic look noticing Ms. Nalini peeping at them.

Bhargavi turned around instantly noticing the change in Prabir's behavior and mumbled," Maa...he ...
he is scared because of a dream and.."

Ms. Nalini cut in sharply," And he was pleading you to stay away from fire. I got it.
But he's just buzzing like a bee. You won't pay any heed to his pleadings whatsoever. You always do ...only what you want to do.

You never care for what others' feel."

"I care Maa,"Bhargavi protested.

"Yes! You do. That is the reason why I can't remember you ever accompanying me to a temple except on your birthday this year ?

If you think I  have a weak memory or memory loss then please remind me, the last time you helped me in the kitchen other than occasionally making some tea," Ms. Nalini said sarcastically.

Bhargavi stood silent as if her lips were tied up. Ms. Nalini slowly walked away from the kitchen and plonked down on the sofa beside Bhawani.

Bhawani marked the gloomy face of her mother and immediately rushed to the kitchen.

Prabir picked up Bhargavi placing his arms on her waist and made her sit on the kitchen platform.

"Bhargu... You want Maa to understand you and she expects you to understand her but none of you are trying to understand the other person's point of view.

Your crippling silence is worsening the situation baby. If she doesn't perceive you the way you want her to, then it is your responsibility to explain yourself.

Would you like to be kept in the dark Bhargu? How will you feel if  Maa or Bhawu or... I keep secrets from you?

You haven't informed Maa about your Baba and about his family yet.

Maa has invested her entire life in you Bhargu and you must acknowledge her pain and sacrifices.

I know you don't believe in God but you could just give her company to a temple ...only to make her happy.

You walked inside the temple ...up to the deity with me without making any fuss.

And once in a while you can help her in the kitchen Bhargu...You always keep nagging me wanting to help in the kitchen," Prabir said thoughtfully regarding her and kissed her forehead.

"You are Kitkat's bigger version and her righteous owner I have to admit," he smirked. "Baby don't be a stubborn ass now okay ?" He added.

"Will Maa make sense of anything I say Prabu ? It's hard to explain why I decided to forgive Baba," Bhargavi exasperatedly enquired rolling her eyes.

"She will Bhargu. She's your Maa. She can read between the lines.

She is the Mistress who created this beautiful Masterpiece," Prabir said gleefully.

He then held her waist and put her down on her feet. "Here take these two cups of tea - one for Maa and the other one is for you.

Please send Bhawu to me, I want to talk to her for a while," Prabir said with a grin.

Bhawani had listened to this entire conversation without being noticed as Prabir was guarding Bhargavi's view and his back was facing Bhawani.

Bhargavi left the kitchen with a warm smile lighting up her face as Bhawani gently nodded at her and approached Prabir.

A/N: I am extremely sorry for the delay in updating this chapter.

Hope you like it!!

Please let me know what you think is gonna happen when Bhargavi shares with her mother that she has already forgiven her father.

Please vote for me if you enjoyed reading.