I won't let it happen, I would stand firm against any hurdle which would try to separate her from me. "Pinky promise, I won't leave you, moti." With that, I lock my tiny finger with hers, that particular moment she met her eyes with mine.

Finally, she stared into my eyes on her own. I smiled but she didn't return it, halfhearted I got up from the bed. I was leaving her behind, mom, Neetu di and Sara had already left the room as I stepped out, I heard Mr Gill once again.

"Shut the door!" He ordered and soon the door was closed. It shocked me, Mr Gill yelling on his kids. He was a friendly person, but what was the deal? I glanced at others standing outside the room. Sara and Neetu di had a sullen face, both were craving to have a conversation with Sana. Sara might have conveyed a lot about her to Neetu di.

"Why did you brought us out mom?" Sara scowled.

"Because Shehnaaz father didn't like our presences over there. I found it weird, he seems of a friendly nature." Neetu di voiced out her doubt.

"Neetu hold your tongue and both of you move. Don't forget about the Mehendi ceremony which is going to take place soon, so go and see the progress." Mom ordered and both half-heartedly moved from there.

Making it a point that they disappeared and we both walked a small distance, mom spoke.

"I know you're smart enough Sid. And I don't have to advise you as I do with Neetu and Sara. But still, I want to voice out today, please make it a point that you maintain a distance with Sana." I peeped at her in amazement.

"Why are you saying so?" I questioned not objecting her advice but just asking reasoning behind it.

"Because Mr Gill won't like it, I didn't speak it in front of them as I thought they would not understand it." She was pointing towards Neetu and Sara.

"Mom he is not like that orthodox personality, he is broad-minded." I had seen his bond with Raghav.

"Nothing can match to fathers overprotective nature. Maybe he is broad-minded but a father inside him won't allow it when it will come about a daughter. I saw that shade of father when he found Sana on your lap. He didn't voice it out openly but he didn't appreciate it." Mom words did make sense, I could guess it from his face.

"I get you, mom, I will take it into account." Sounding disappointed, mom caressed my face.

"Matter of a few days, till he learns to trust you." I nodded smiling at him.

_____

I stood in front of the room, gave a knock, and entered into the room. Only to be gifted with a pillow that came and hit me on my head. I glared at the person who threw it, "Raghav." I muttered gritting my teeth. After having a conversation, I decided to meet him as he deserved and explanation so as I.

"Don't you dare to stare at me like that? How come you hide such a big thing from me? And were you serious Sid? You were ready to sacrifice your love for me! Have you lost your mind! This was the biggest mistake of your life and I am not going to forgive you for this. I might forgive you being your buddy but being Sana's cutie I won't ever forgive you." He concluded taking the seat on the bed.

"Wait! What did you just say? Cutie?" Preeti di laughed loud. "She is just excellent in names, who would have thought to name such a handsome hunk and greek god with cutie and Kullu. I am already a fan of her skills." Continuing with her giggles. We both narrowed our eyes at her but she was least affected. We ignored her, I looked at Raghav taking a seat next to Preeti di who was sitting on the couch.

"So you were the one who told her that monster is in her stomach who makes noises." I snorted for which he just ignored me.

"You here? I thought you won't leave Sana even for a second." Preeti di teased me up, I narrowed my eyes at her.

"Her father came in and we had to leave." That made Raghav's eyes darted at me but soon diverted it. I knew he had some knowledge about it, but I didn't bring the point in front of di.

"Haww... How cruel of uncle ji, isn't it Raghav?" She held my face in her hand, "what was my brother's fault?" And both laughed on me.

"Will you stop it di? You're forgetting that it's not mine but Raghav wedding going on and he should be one teased."

"Does it even looks like my wedding? The whole concentration is grabbed by you. At times it feels that I am just a guest." His face grim and we couldn't help but laugh on him.

"Not fair Sid, so much injustice with Raghav. How could you? That too with your buddy?" Preethi di was teasing him making Raghav groan at her.

"Di!" Sara called her up, knocking on the door.

"What's the matter?" She yelled back.

"Need help with Mehendi, please join us."

"Fine..." Di moved out leaving us behind.

"So?"

"So?" He imitated making me glare him.

"You lied about the ring?" I gritted my teeth, he was testing my patience.

"Ring?" He seemed to recollect, was it that easy for him to lie and forget? "Yeah! But that was due to cupcake, she persisted me to."

"Why so?"

"That's because of Sana, you know about her condition." Peeping at me for assurance and I gave a nod.

"You never mentioned her name to anyone. Was it due to her mental instability?" I inquired.

"Hmm... yeah," he was avoiding eye contact and hesitating to even bring words out from his mouth. "Why you never mentioned about her? As you felt it was Sana, whom I was going to marry." I kept quiet, I knew he was changing the topic. Putting the entire focus on me. "Sid, were you going to let me marry her? Won't even try a bit?" His voice gave it off as if he was finding it difficult to perceive. "Why?"

I glanced at him, he was demanding answers but I had none. "Is not it enough, Sid? Sacrificing your mom, your sisters and now on the verge of sacrificing your love. Don't get too tired with pulling off this selfless attitude. Haven't it cost you enough? Just live for yourself man, please for God sake." His voice yelling but his eyes moist. He was experiencing the pain which I knew he would encounter on knowing the truth.

"Raghav don't you think you're exaggerating the matter. I understand that you're hurt but now stop it."

"I won't! Why should I? So in future, you pull out such stunts. Love is a sacrifice I understand but doesn't it mean I should give my share of sacrifice? Why it should be always you?"

"Why are you behaving as if you married Shehnaaz and she is Moti. We both know, they are two different individuals."

"But what if they were not? You would have attended the wedding without uttering a word? Won't you? I just can't imagine... I would have spoil your entire life." He raised from the bed pacing from left to right, pressing his forehead. "Your smile, breathe, how could I be so blind? Why I couldn't see your pain?" He was cursing himself and I was not able to see it.

"You're not the one to blame," raising up getting irritated. "Where on the earth you knew about it? And you're not some fortune teller to guess it out. So stop the nonsense and get ready for the ceremony," saying so I walked out of his room.

The happening was troubling me, there was so much more to sort. So much more to arrange and many more questions to be answered.

____

A few minutes later I was standing in front of the village where the I had knocked Sana down. I felt a touch on my shoulder and turned myself.

Guru was standing there, I smiled. "Recollecting past events?" He asked and I nodded. "How strange faith is? Have you ever thought that the person you knocked down will be the one you will fall for?" He asked smiling brightly. "So when is the wedding?" He asked getting excited.

"Wedding? I am not marrying anyone." Getting startled, he laughed loud on hearing me.

"Who asked you about your wedding? I was inquiring about Raghav, your friend. But I won't mind if I get to attend two weddings at a time." He chuckled, I just ignored his last sentence.

"Sorry, I took it wrong." My mind wandering on different paths.

"Now what's the deal?" He inquired looking at me in concerned.

"I need your help with something...." and he listened to me attentively.

____

After having a conversation with Guru and explaining to him everything I went to make the arrangement. Was peeping from my car that was parked a few distances away from Shehnaaz car. As she got in her car in hurry and drove from there, I got out of the car.

Texted Guru, 'mission accomplished.' And was making my way back to my room. When I heard some grumbles coming from Sana's room. I got anxious listening to it, what was up with her?

I saw Navya coming upstairs with a jar in her hand, humming song. Getting infuriated I walked towards her, "what the hell! What are you doing over here? Haven't I mentioned that you will have to stay with Sana, as Shehnaaz will be out?"

"I just went to bring water..." not providing her to talk, I rushed towards the room. The moment I opened the room, I got stunned.

"Damn...!"

TO BE CONTINUED...

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A NEW START!!

SO HOW WAS THE PART?

WHAT SID TALK WITH GURU?

WHY SHEHNAAZ RUSHED IN HURRY?

WHAT IS IT UP WITH SANA?

WHY IS SID SHOCK?

KEEP READING...