Raunak regained his senses and forced his eyes to open briefly. He could hear muffled voices and his vision was not clear. He wondered where he was. He couldn't lift his arms or sit up.

He still felt drugged clumsiness along with aches of various sorts.

His clavicle was broken and he had his skin shredded from the ankle to his right knee. He had minor cuts and bruises on his palms, elbows, fingers. He got six stitches for the deep gash on his left knee.

The doctors were relieved that he did not slip into a coma and had no major internal injuries.

He would have to make daily trip to the hospital to get his bandages changed and wounds cleaned up.

Raghav was overjoyed to inform Bhargavi and Prabir that Raunak would be discharged from the hospital after one more day of observation.

Prabir quickly excused himself and went straight to his father's cabin. He sat there patiently as Mr. Banerjee was busy with his patients.

In a very calm and composed manner, Prabir explained everything to his father - about Dhruv, Mayank and his father, Keya. He also unraveled why he had been missing in the morning? Where had he been? When Mr. Banerjee finally had some free time.

In the meantime Raghav had taken Bhargavi's bank account details for paying back the amount, she had paid initially for Raunak's admission to the hospital.

Bhargavi didn't have the courage and strength to go and meet Mrs. Kavya alone and she waited for Prabir quietly in front of Mr. Banerjee's cabin, fidgeting.

Prabir walked out of his father's cabin and bumped into her. Bhargavi instantly wheeled around looking in the other direction with moist eyes.

"Bhargu...why didn't you come in? Why did you wait here?" Prabir inquired with a smirk.

She looked at him with a smile and whispered, "Umm...I was just going to come in."

"Why are your eyes..watery ?" Prabir enquired worried.

"Ah! Something fell in my eyes," Bhargavi replied smoothly.

They spoke with Mrs. Kavya and Mr. Bhairav, who readily agreed to take in Dhruv. "My child is never going to come back to me but atleast ...I can help a child have a good life," Mr. Bhairav said with tears rolling down his cheeks.

Mrs. Kavya broke down in tears and Bhargavi hugged her gently patting her head.

"Kavya will be discharged tomorrow in the evening and we will come to take Dhruv ...day after tomorrow.He's still staying at your house right?" Mr. Bhairav asked looking at Prabir

"Yes! Uncle," Prabir replied quickly.

When Prabir and Bhargavi were about to leave the hospital, Bhargavi pleaded," Prabu...can you please teach me to drive? Please... please."

"Sure...hop on," Prabir said gleefully throwing the keys at her. He started with the basics and detailed her about the gears, clutch and brakes, helping her prepare a mind map before stimulating the operation.

He slowly sat behind her back, placing his palms on hers but being sure that he doesn't put his weight on her making her lean forward.

"Okay! Here we go," he said as he pushed the self start button and whispered, " Don't be scared. Nothing is going to hurt you okay!"

Bhargavi giggled knowing that he would not let her ride on her own till she learned to ride properly, at least not after what happened to Raunak.

He changed the gears, demonstrating the way it's done and helped her keep the vehicle steady as she rode till they reached home.

The thought of being separated from Prabir and going back to her own house made Bhargavi feel sad.

Prabir instantly felt her sadness as she slowly dragged her feet towards her house. He wrapped his left arm around her neck and pulled her back close to his chest whispering," I love you baby girl. I love you so much."

Bhargavi chuckled," I love you baby bear."

"ME...A bear Bhargu?" Prabir quizzed playfully with a teasing laughter.

"You are my cute little baby Panda.
Now let me go. How long will you be holding me like this?" Bhargavi retorted back laughing, feeling embarrassed.

Prabir was grateful to see her laugh and giggle and let her go after he kissed her forehead gently by spinning her around in his arms.

***********************************

After having finished with their dinner, when everyone else was asleep, Bhargavi creeped out of her room quietly and strolled upstairs to the terrace.

She stood stock still and gazed into the night sky with stars twinkling and the moon shinning bright. She had left her phone in her room and wished she had carried it with her.

She sat down leaning her back against the wall and hugged her knees. She wept silently for a long time before she felt someone place an arm on her shoulder. She was startled and looked up immediately at Prabir.

"Bhargu... What's wrong ? Why are you crying?" Prabir enquired concerned.

She wiped off her tears and softly whispered," It's nothing serious just some issues."

"Bhargu... Please be honest with me. You never cry easily," Prabir mumbled sitting beside her.

"Prabu a person died and...we can't hold anyone specifically responsible for her death.

Nishwas Sinha can't be blamed as ...all he did was blackmail and threaten his own son. He has the right to choose the bride for his son.

Mayank can be held responsible for Keya's death only by his own inner conscience.

I...I really want to help Mayank. I can't even imagine what he might be going through.

I know what he tried to do with Bhawani was wrong but...he left the town and never interfered with her life again.

Some people always just keep craving for love and affection but don't ever know how it feels to be loved by someone and receive so less of love.

Mayank was only trying to protect Keya from his father's wrath. He was willing to make a sacrifice for her. For the very first time he was trying to do something good but was penalized," Bhargavi said sardonically.

"You can't hold anyone specifically responsible... because a single individual isn't responsible for her death Bhargu...many people are. Every person played a significant role.

Mayank is responsible Bhargu...He wasn't completely honest with his feelings for her.

He could have asked her to wait for him ...for a couple of years while he worked hard to build up his career before returning back to her. What did he sacrifice for her Bhargu?

He wanted to get rid of his responsibilities. It was easy for him to not make any commitments. For his entire life he has done nothing useful.

His father is an old man and I bet after a few more years, he would be bed ridden Bhargu.

Mayank is so scared of that old man that he acknowledged the threats given by him but ignored Keya's admonitions of killing herself.

Keya's parents seem to know nothing about her relationship with Mayank. When I looked at her pictures on social media, it hardly took me two minutes to be clear about the kind of relationship between those two.

You might tell me that they are not active on social media and never saw her pictures. Okay! I agree but it is impossible to not know that your child is in love with someone.

I don't want to provide you guidelines related to parenting but...the changes are obviously visible Bhargu... I don't need more than a mere fraction of a second to realize that it is a call or a text from Sarvesh when I look at that unusually happy face of Paru and when I notice her blushing.

Yes! I also agree that Baba knows nothing about this because he leaves at 8.30 in the morning and returns at the end of the day by around 9.30. If  Paru herself doesn't approach him with her problems he seldom cares.

Merely providing a good education and the basic necessities like food, clothing and shelter isn't enough for a child.

However, I tried to help Mayank to the best of my ability, as you know.... I have a method to my madness.

I don't want him to go insane, feeling internally scorched and living in constant agony... So I asked him to go abroad and fulfill Keya's dreams... become one of the best neurosurgeons' in the world," Prabir confessed genuinely.

"I am sorry Prabu...for being the queen of the ruckus in the hospital," Bhargavi apologized sincerely.

"You are spontaneous, impulsive and unpredictable Bhargu and that is what I admire in you.

You are my brave and fearless queen Bhargu and I am so proud of you," he replied gaily.

"I am not Prabu...I am not brave or fearless. I am scared... scared as hell.

I have always been scared. Scared that I won't be able to protect Maa and Bhawani.

You make me feel fearless and be brave enough to stand up for myself.

When I felt like I was heading into an endless ...deep dark tunnel with no hope at all..no way out. When my life seemed to be spiralling out of my control and I couldn't possibly mend anything.

It was you who instilled faith in me...that I won't be punished for something that I haven't done.

Prabu...You emit and radiate confidence the moment you enter a place. Your mere presence is so reassuring to instill hope and faith in people.

I know you will move Heaven and Earth but won't let anything wrong happen to anyone.

When I have a powerful and mighty King like YOU... to love and protect me,I have nothing to be scared of," she whispered softly with a broken and jagged voice.

He scooped her up in his arms and she squealed. He leaned his head forward to touch her forehead with his.

He swiftly carried her downstairs to her room and dropped her gingerly on her bed.

He whirled around and closed the door. He turned the lights off and slid beside her on the bed.

The room wasn't completely dark, as light filtered in through the window. She kissed his cheek and ran her fingers in his hair, propping herself on her left elbow.

He gently pushed her elbow making her kiss the bed. Before she could say something annoyed with him, he gently kissed her head and whispered,"Sleep Bhargu...I don't like to wake you up from a deep slumber early in the morning."

"Then marry me Prabu...Even I hate it when you roll out of the bed when I  have either just fallen asleep or early in the morning," Bhargavi said amused.

"As if I have so much time to cuddle up with you in the morning.

I have to make breakfast and pack tiffin for both Paru and Baba. Sometimes in addition to this, cleaning the floor and mopping also needs to be done," he mumbled and kissed her head gently as she placed her head on his chest.

"So you don't want to marry me? Because I am a sleepy head?" She quizzed sadly.

He roared into laughter and placed his palm on his face to subdue his voice.

"I want to marry you baby...but before we get married I will have to find a husband for Maa," he chuckled.

"What?" Bhargavi blurted thoughtlessly.

"Maa has her whole world spinning around you two Bhargu...Once you both get married she will feel so lonely and deprived of affection.

I want her to stay with us for her entire life but she won't listen to my pleadings. The society never appreciates... if you treat your son- in- law like your own son.

She too needs a person who will genuinely love her and care for her," Prabir said cautiously.

"You are insane Prabu...Maa will have to be reincarnated to be willing to get married to someone at this age," Bhargavi grinned.

"I want to see her happy Bhargu....Don't you notice the pain in Ghosh Uncle's eyes? Living alone is not easy and that too at such a later stage in life.

Ghosh Uncle still has his job now and he has friends, colleagues and relatives but the void that is created with his wife gone...He deals with an excruciating unexplainable emotional pain," Prabir mumbled softly.

"Bhargu...You don't trust people easily then what made you trust me, when you thought about... asking me for help?

You did not even know my name, then why did you want to stay at my place?" Prabir enquired quietly.

"I felt like... I was a stupid fool gawking at you in the mall, the first time I saw you but I couldn't resist the pull that was dragging me towards you like a magnet.

No matter what I did my eyes kept looking for you.

The way I saw you treat Paru...I knew instantly that you are a gentleman and would never harm anyone.

I knew very well that she wasn't your friend but your little sister as I closely observed you both from a distance. She looked like a teenager to be precise.

I knew nobody in this town who could help me so I decided to ask you for help and was fortunate enough to see you halt your bike and unmount the very next day in college while I was running late as usual.

I had a feeling that you will certainly help me and I am glad that I did ask you for help.

You are the sweetest person I have ever known Prabu.

I never wanted to be treated as a child even when I was a kid. I felt it extremely girly and childish to be pampered.

But I don't mind being a girl when I am with you Prabu and it's only You to whom...I keep running to... with all of my childish requests, whether it be a craving for an ice cream or if I simply need a hug," Bhargavi admitted merrily.

"Okay! Now close your eyes," Prabir murmured softly and stroked her hair. 

Next morning, Prabir woke up at 5 and slowly tried to roll out of the bed, but Bhargavi clinged close to him unwilling to let him go. She held his arm in a tenacious grip.

He slowly withdrew his arm from her hold careful not to hurt her, and she sat up groggily rubbing her eyes.

"Good morning," she said with a sulking face.

"Good morning baby! Did you sleep well?" Prabir grinned.

She nodded lightly and mumbled,"Are you going to college today? I have a class at 9 o'clock."

"Yes!" He said and drifting towards her, lifted her chin up with his palm.

"I will be glad if you could possibly help Maa in the kitchen and will you please make my favorite flavoured rice pudding for me Bhargu?

Do not be compelled to put any of those dirty dead cockroach exoskeletons killed by KitKat....  in my pudding.....although it might be tempting," Prabir said sarcastically.

Bhargavi hysterically rolled out laughing.

A/N: Hope you like this update.

This chapter is a bit longer than expected 😬😅 but I am sure you won't mind 😊 as I don't update nowadays frequently.

Please let me know if you enjoyed reading and please do vote for me to make my day.

Thank you all so much ❤️💕