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Harry was in his room sitting on the bed since a while now. Tears were collected in his eyes but they were not falling. He took out his phone and called someone.

Harry: Ple.. please come.. I.. I am not able to handle.. please..

He disconnected the call as tears started falling from his eyes and he burst into uncontrollable sobs. The pain of the words of Agu was something which he was bearing since long but today he reached the limit. He was now not able to handle it

Angad has come back to check on him and found him crying miserably. He ran inside.

Angad: Chachu...Chachu.. calm down. Chachu please.. calm down chachu..

He tried hard but today the bridge has broken. Harry was not able to control himself.

Angad first went to Rahul's room but found him sleeping. He felt odd but then shrugged off the thoughts and went to Jassi's room.

Angad: Papa chalo.. jaldi..

Saying so he dragged Jassi without allowing him to reply and they both came inside Harry's room. Jassi was shocked to see Harry crying hard hugging his knees. He ran to him and sat in front of him. He held his hands in assurance.

Jassi: Harry kya hua?

Harry looked at him for a while and then just hugged him tightly. Jassi rubbed his back while saying sweet nothings. He looked at Angad who was looking at Harry with pity. Jassi frowned.

Jassi: Bas Harry bas... calm down. I am here with you okay. Sab theek ho jayega dheere dheere. Calm down.

Harry's cries have started turning into light sniffing. Jassi broke the hug and he and Angad made Harry lie down on the bed while Jassi kept holding his hand. Soon enough Harry slept due to mental exhaustion of past few hours. Once Harry slept, Jassi looked at Angad.

Jassi: Kya hua tha?

Angad gulped down but narrated everything. Jassi was shocked hearing all this

Jassi (shocked): What??

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

Jinks was lost in his thoughts standing near the window of his room. He was regretting abandoning Rohit when he needed the most but how can he when he himself was going through the guilt trip. Rohit and Virat were passing by his room and found him lost in his thoughts. They went to him and stood beside him silently. The trio allowed silence to comfort them but Virat was feeling uneasy but not for his friends.. for his kiddos. But he focused on the friend in front of him.

Jinks: I am sorry Ro..

Rohit: Jinks..

Jinks: No Ro.. let me complete.

Virat signed Rohit to allow Jinks to complete and he nodded in yes.

Jinks: I should have been with you Ro when you needed the most lekin..

Rohit: Lekin nahi aa paye kyuki tum khud ko zimmedar mante the ki Vi ko nahi rok paye jane se

Jinks: Only if I could have reached a bit more earlier..

Virat: To tumhari Jaan ko bhi khatra hota Jinks. Hum log jab ja rahe the we didn't know but they were following us. Agar Batra bhaiya nahi aye hote to pata nahi kya ho jata uss din..

Rohit: Calm down both of you.. and Jinks agar tumhari jagah main hota to main to pata nahi kya karta. It's not easy to live with the kind of guilt you were having.

Jinks: And it's not easy to ask for help again and again even when you know the answer. You just wanted me to be with you without doing anything but I couldn't muster that much courage. I am sorry Ro.. I really am..

Jinks and Ro hugged each other tightly where Jinks shed few tears. Virat too joined them.

Virat: You both always forget me. Very bad.

Rest the two chuckled at his remark. They stayed like that for a while and then broke the hug.

Virat: Let's not dwell in the past. Let's go ahead. Let's move on. Let's just be with each other and make memories ki hamari sari buri yaadein yaad hi na aaye..

Rest two agreed and they again hugged each other feeling the long lost yet familiar comfort.

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

It was dinner time and there was literally silence apart from the banters going on between RohiRat, Jaddu-Mahi and KulCha. Harry and Rahul were all silent though Rahul used to speak something here and there between RohiRat to stop them but not much.

AK, Vami, Sana, Angad, Arya, Sammy, Arjun, Amy all were silent. Agu came there and found the younger clan was glaring at him. Now that he was calmed, he knew he has done so wrong. Agu was about to sit beside Harry but Jassi sat there glaring at him. Agu gulped down and sat a few chairs away.

Virat though was busy in the banter but has noticed Harry's unusual silence and Jassi's unusual hyperness. And on top of that Rahul was behaving quite clingy. He was keeping his head on his shoulder every now and then and was behaving like a kid more and it was scaring him from inside. He sighed and looked at Rahul who was currently teasing Rohit by teaming up with Jaddu and Jinks. Virat smiled seeing him smiling even though tiredness was visible on his face. Virat frowned as Rahul's smile vanished as he looked at particular direction. Virat followed his gaze and found him looking at Athiya and Atharva.. Atharva was helping the ladies to bring the food at the table.. Instinctively Rahul held Virat's hand tightly.

Atharva sat beside AK after helping the ladies. He said in low voice.

Atharva: Hi bhaiya..

AK: Mujhe koi baat nahi karni..

Atharva: Bhaiya chhodo na ab..

AK: Itni badi baat aise hi chhod doon. Tumne mujhe kuchh bhi batana zaroori nahi samja..

Atharva: Sorry na bhaiya..

AK: Chup chap khana Khao, meds lo aur rest karo samje

Atharva: Nahi main nahi khaunga.. Aap khilao..

AK: Main koi nahi khilane wala. Khao chup chap.

Atharva made a face.

Athiya has served Rahul's diet food to him but he was not eating anything.

Athiya: Rah.. khao na..

Rahul: Nahi it's okay. Man nahi kar raha.

Sana: Chachu you should not skip meals.

Atharva's words again replayed in his mind as he closed his eyes to compose himself. Virat and Sana exchanged worried glances.

Rahul: Bhaiya man nahi kar raha

Everyone has noticed that Rahul was calling Virat Bhaiya from past few days and it was worrying them but at least he was not silent and that's the only thing they were happy about.

Virat: It's okay Rah. Main bas thoda sa khila doon? Meds le paao utna?

Rahul nodded in yes but the fear was visible on his face and it was noticed by Mahi, Rohit, Jaddu, Ash and Jinks. They all looked at each other but before anyone could say anything, Rahul realised he was falling weak and quickly turned on his poker face making everyone sighed as they got that they were not allowed to help him at least not as of now.

Virat started feeding Rahul while talking about something totally random which distracted his mind too and calming him down a bit.

AK saw Atharva was not eating and was just sitting with a huge, cute pout. He shook his head at his antics. He tore a morsel and forwarded it to Atharva who happily ate it.

Anu: Waah.. Kya scene hai.. Idhar Vi Rah ko khila Raha hai aur udhar Akku Atharva ko.. Ekdum picture perfect.

Atharva and Rahul looked at each other. Rahul looked down and took a deep breath.

Rahul: Bhaiya bas.. ab sach me bhukh nahi hai

Atharva: Apne theek se nahi khaya. Dawayi kaise loge phir?

Rahul: It's okay. Ab itna bhi problem nahi hai. I can have meds with this much food.

Atharva didn't force him as he got that Rahul was indeed not feeling like eating. He looked at Virat and shook his head in no. Virat too nodded in yes.

Virat: Achchha koi na. Chalo room me Jake rest karo thodi der

He was about to get up but Rahul stopped him.

Rahul: Aap kha lo bhaiya. Main yahi hall me hi hoon.

Harry: I am coming with you mera ho gaya.

Saying so he just got up and took Rahul from there to a distance. Harry put his head in Rahul's lap. Rahul caressed his hair.

Rahul: Agu ne phir kuchh bola?

Harry: Hmm

Rahul: You okay?

Harry: Na

Rahul: Agu se baat karu main?

Harry: Bilkul nahi. Usko bolne ki bilkul tameez nahi hai. Tum bilkul baat nahi karoge usse samje..

Rahul frowned hearing this.

Rahul: Aisa kya bol diya usne? Itne hyper kyu ho rahe ho?

Harry: Rah.. I don't want to talk about him abhi please..

Rahul: Achchha theek hai. Aur kuchh batana hai?

Harry: Hmm..

Rahul: Kya?

Harry: Maine usko call karke aane ko bola. I.. I just could think that only

Rahul: Sahi kiya hmm..

Harry nodded in yes.

Rahul: Achchha ab main room me ja raha hoon.

Harry: Why are you sad Rah?

Rahul: I am fine Harry bas thakan si lag rahi hai

Atharva was done with his food and came to them.

Rahul: Main chalta hoon Harry. You take care

Harry nodded in yes.

Harry: Chal I'll help you to go to Room and lay on bed

Atharva: Harry Chachu.. aap rest karo. Main Papa ki help kar dunga

Harry nodded and went from there. Rahul was about to turn his wheelchair but Atharva started pushing it.

Rahul: I can go Atharva. Tum jao aur rest karo you too need it

Atharva: Papa aap akele kaise karoge? Main apko help karunga phir chala jaunga

Rahul: Atharva I can manage

Atharva: I know you can manage lekin main help karu to problem kya hai. Waise bhi itne saal ke baad apko help karne ka mauka mila hai

Rahul stopped the wheelchair by holding wheels tightly. Atharva frowned and came forward.

Atharva: Are kyu roka Papa?

Rahul: Itne saalo ka khalipan aise hi nahi mitta Atharva..

Saying so Rahul started going towards his room. Atharva was startled hearing this but also got Rahul gave him back for his behaviour.

Rahul came inside his room and reached to the bed followed by Atharva. He came to Rahul who was trying to get up to sit on the bed.

Atharva: Aap akele kyu kar rahe ho sab? Main help kar raha hoon na

He tried to help but Rahul show him his palm this stopping him. Rahul gulped the lump formed in his throat.

Rahul: Kuchh ladaiya akele hi ladni hoti hai Atharva.

Rahul managed to sit on the bed though he got saved from falling down twice by Atharva.

Atharva: Papa.. aap gussa ho mujse?

Rahul: Nahi Atharva.

Atharva: Papa main..

Rahul: Atharva Go to your room and take rest. I need to take rest too.

Atharva: Ji..

Saying so he went from there. Rahul sighed and leaned back keeping his head at the headboard. He hold his head as a sudden rush of dizziness took over his head. He hissed as it was not allowing him to keep his eyes open properly.

Athiya came to the room and so Rahul like that. She ran to him and held him.

Athiya: Rah kya hua?

Rahul: Tia..

Athiya: Haan Rah.. I am here only okay. Calm down.

She has held him closer to her heart. Rahul was able to listen to her heart beats. He calmed down after a while. He was feeling better too. He realised their position and broke the hug almost instantly and regretted aa he again had to held his head. Athiya layed him down properly and hugged his head.

Athiya: Kya baat hai Rah?

Rahul: Kuchh nahi

Athiya: Mujse jhooth nahi bol pate tum jante ho na

Rahul snuggled more into hug. He just wanted to feel that warmth once again. There was a silence for a while where Athiya was caressing his hair and he was just feeling that familiar warmth and was feeling content.

Rahul trusted his own faith and again snuggled more.

Rahul: How did you manage Tia? Physically, Mentally, Financially, Emotionally? How?

Athiya: Tumhara pyaar tha na mere sath Rah. Ho gaya sab manage. Haan physically thoda tiring tha.. Mentally exhausting bhi tha.. Lekin financially it was all good. Tumne jo investments kiye the, jo business start Kiya tha sab ne sab sambhal liya

Rahul: Emotionally?

Tears fell from her eyes.

Athiya: Kyu janna hai yeh?

Rahul broke the hug and looked at her. He took her in a hug and kissed on her forehead while gently cupping her face.

Rahul: Let it out Tia..

Athiya looked down as tears were still falling from her eyes. She hid her face in his protective and comforting embrace. Her silent cries started turning into sobs.

Athiya (crying): Bahut ganda experience tha. Tumhe.. tumhe aise dekhana phir.. phir Atharva ke clot ke bare me pata chalna.. It was.. it was not easy Rah. Not easy.. Kuchh kuchh samaj.. samaj me hi nahi aata tha ki kya karu.. kaise.. kaise sambhalu.. Ath.. Atharva bahut chhota tha Rah.. He.. He needed you.. Usko.. usko to kabhi kabhi aisa bhi lagta tha ki tum.. tum usse utna pyaar nahi karte.. iss liye so rahe ho.. aur.. aur usko answer nahi kar rahe.. we.. we.. we missed you Rah.. Bahut.. bahut.. bahut Miss Kiya..

Rahul held her tightly as she continued sobbing while he shed his silent tears.

Athiya (crying): Aaj.. aaj bhi dar.. dar lagta hai Rah.. Jab bhi.. jab bhi tum aise.. aise.. aankhe bandh karte ho na to.. ek.. ek ajeeb si ghabrahat hoti hai.. I.. I don't want to loose you Rah.. I don't want to..

Rahul (in broken voice): You.. you will never lose me Tia.. Never..

Athiya (crying): I love you Rah..

Rahul: I love you too Tia.. I love you too

Athiya continued crying whereas Rahul continued rubbing her back occasionally planting a soft kiss on her forehead. His own health was long forgotten.

Rahul: I am here only Tia.. with you. Please.. please don't think anything else..

Athiya snuggled more making tears fell from Rahul's eyes.

Athiya: I.. I am trying Rah lekin.. lekin inn dino it's.. it's much more difficult you know..

A small sob escaped from Rahul's mouth before he could control it. Athiya started rubbing his back.

Rahul: How.. how did you man.. manage to go thr..  through these days Tia?

Athiya sobbed hard making Rahul too turned his tears into sobs.

Athiya: Tum.. tumhara pyaar tha na.. aise.. aise hi tum.. tumko hug karke soti thi.. Aise.. aise hi rehti thi ghanto tak..

Rahul kept rubbing her back.

Athiya: Rah..

Rahul: Hmm..

Athiya: Dar.. dar lag raha hai Rah.. woh sab.. woh sab aankho ke samne se ja hi nahi raha.

Rahul: I.. I am here Tia.. with you..

He tried composing himself.

Athiya: Why Rah? Why it was us Rah? Why?

Rahul burst into sobs hearing her question.. With Both of them still in the hug.

Rahul: I.. I.. I am sorry Tia.. I am sorry.. I am sorry that It were us. I am.. I am sorry that I couldn't save..

Athiya quickly broke the hug and put her hand on his mouth stopping him from saying further. Both looked at each other. Athiya shook her head in no

Athiya: It was not your fault Rah. It.. it can never be..

She wiped his tears gently.

Athiya: Mere Rah ke aansu bahut keemati hai. Aise.. aise mat bahao.

Rahul: Aur meri Tia ke aansu anmol hai. Unko aise mat bahao

He wiped her tears gently and they both again hugged each other tightly. They didn't realise when sleep took over them.

Atharva was not feeling sleepy and moreover he was worried for Rahul he didn't know why but he was just worried. He came to Rahul and Athiya's room and found them asleep cuddling to each other. An instant smile came on his face. He was dying to see that. He came inside and gently covered them with blanket. He took out his phone and clicked their picture. He then went from there with a smiling face.

**********************************
Agu came inside Harry's room and saw him sleeping. He opened the bed side drawer and checked the medicine strip. One pill was less. He sighed sadly. He sat beside Harry and caressed his hair.

Agu: I.. I so wish Dad ki aap life me aaga badho.. aur iss sleeping pills ka use mat karo. I wish you get a partner to hold on to Dad.. You need it. And.. and I am.. I am sorry Dad.. Pata nahi main itna gussa kaise ho gaya ki apki aur Atharva dono ki feelings ke bare me nahi socha Maine. I am sorry..

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

Rohit's sleep broke as he felt some heaviness in his chest. He rubbed there and drank some water.

Rohit (in mind): Lagta hai wapas Jake ek baar check up karwana hi hoga.

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

The next day was more silent than the previous night's dinner. Atharva was still trying to talk to AK who was still not talking to him but he was still not in terms with the truth he got to know. Arya and Sammy wanted to talk about their respective relationships with Vami and Arjun respectively but always used to find them lost and the talk used to get delayed.

For RahIya, they were better but Rahul sometimes used to get cautious while touching her and it was not unnoticed by Athiya but the talk has once again got delayed.

It also passed like that with heaviness. Rahul and Athiya were in their room cuddling to each other but none of them was sleepy. They both were not able to sleep. The memories were haunting and scaring them even today. It was around 3 AM in the morning when they finally fell asleep.

On the next day, all except Rahul and Vami were in the hall for breakfast. Vami came there. She went to Col Batra and cleared her throat.

Vami: Sir..

Col Batra: Yes Vami..

Vami looked at Virushka, AK, Mrs Batra, Arjun and Amy.. She rolled her tongue over her lips to reduce the nervousness she was feeling.

Vami: Woh.. ek baat karni thi. Important

Col Batra nodded in yes

Vami was about to say something when Rahul called Athiya. He was almost screaming her name. Athiya was about to go when they heard Rahul was calling everyone.

Harry: Rah aise chilla kyu raha hai? Woh bhi aaj..

He stopped as he realised what he was about to say. Tears collected in Athiya's eyes but she composed herself. Rahul again called them all but this time his voice choked and he coughed. Everyone almost ran upstairs towards his room. Athiya opened the door getting scared but couldn't see Rahul anywhere.

Athiya: Rah.. Rah..

Harry. Rah..

Virat: Rah..

Athiya: Lagta hai yaha nahi bahar hoga. Main.. main dekhti hoon bahar.

Saying so she turned and was about to go but Rahul stopped her.

Rahul: Tia..

Athiya turned and looked at him and was shocked.

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Okay so some points covered and many are still pending. Be ready for the emotional journey coming up.

Light moments will come too. Have patience.

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