We crossed the crowd, making our way inside. Sana was getting impatient, as people had accumulated in the three-basin present. She was on the verge to lose her patients and applying the Haldi on her face. I grabbed her elbow, objecting to her move. I couldn't let her spoil her face, dragging her towards the vacant washroom.

"Stand over here, without moving." Commandeering in an authoritative voice, she pouted but obeyed my words. "Come..." switching the tap. She stepped, and I helped her to clean her hands. "Now, stand over there quietly." Ordering, as I had to clean my face as well. She nodded, I got busy with my work, but instead of moving she was playing with the other tap present over there.

"Moti! Stop playing or..." before I could utter, the blunder was committed. I switched the shower on and we were drenched in the water.

Her eyes were staring at the water coming. Soon she started jumping. Her rounds of laughter filled the surrounding, I was going to scold her but her acts weren't providing me with the opportunity. "Rain! So cold..." her giggles were like a melody to my ears. Was listening to it after years. I had lost the hope of I would ever be beside her to experience those moments. Her childishness made me miss my childhood, I had never lived it like any child. I never enjoyed those years, as I was determined to study fast and joint mom. All I desired was to help her in the work.

"Kullu... rain is so beautiful..." her words got me in present. Allowing me to enjoy rather than saddening over my past memories, only if I had got her much before in my life. I would have enjoyed my life a little better, "ahshh!"

She sneezed, "moti!" I off the shower.

"Kullu... rain?" She was sad about no longer able to enjoy her rain.

"Rain had done its work, now come." Rebuking as she had out cold.

"Why?" Wasn't moving an inch staring at it, "ask it to come back." Peeping at the shower with underlying hope.

I shook my head; she was shivering yet stubborn to move. "It won't, stop arguing and come along with me." She denied it, I glared at her.

"You're bad! You're not allowing me to play in rain but... but... cutie always did." She was complaining, I paid no heed.

"From next time he won't, I will stop him." She fumed in anger listening to it, "come." Dragging her out of the washroom, I searched for my cell. Luckily none was present, I couldn't walk to her room. As people were accumulated in the hall, my cell too had drenched due to the water. She was shivering as we were out, how was I to warm her? Searching for something, found a coat near the basin.

Wasn't bothering myself with the owner, I covered her with it. "Sana!" We heard a familiar voice, as the door next to us opened. Kunal walked out of it, he was amazed finding us there.

"You... both?" Gazing at us with a questioning look, on glancing at our drenched clothes.

"Cutie! He didn't give me to drench in the rain," she grumbled pointing at me. He passed a smile, I was stunned. Cutie! She was talking about Kunal? Wasn't cutie name given to Raghav?

"Oh! How cruel of him! Don't worry next time, I won't allow him." Convincing her, she popped her tongue out. He chuckled; I was dazed to react. The bond they share was turning me insecure, who was he?

"Who are you?" Not holding myself any longer, confronting him directly.

He was taken aback, by my pitch of the tone. "I..." he maintained his posture, pressing a smile. "Kunal Chatterjee, as I mentioned before. If you want to be specific, I am Shehbaaz friend and a doctor by profession." Directing his eyes at Sana, "she is interested in me. As I mostly treat people with such case, mentally unfit." Informed, smile not leaving his face.

"Can you ask Sara to turn here?" I changed the topic turning embarrassed, why I behaved like a jealous soul? Why was it affecting me? If she had a close relationship with any guy?

"Oh! Clothes!" He nodded in agreement, walking out. As he walked away, I peeped at Sana. She was going to follow him; I hindered her way.

"What?" She looked at me sadly, "where were you walking?" Pissed with her behaviour, why was she so fond of him?

"Following cutie..."

"No need!"

"Why?" Her questions were only triggering me.

"Because I said so," gritting my teeth. Withholding my anger, she stamped her foot.

"You're bad! Cutie is good, he makes me laugh. You only shout at me," turning her face away from me. Only if I could drag cutie out of her life, was staring at the door. Where was Sara? Tapping my feet in impatience.

-----

Minutes later, I had changed in the dress. Sana was taken from the washroom by Sara, I walked out glancing at myself in a mirror. By the time I was done, the ceremony had ended. Everyone had got into the room, only Mr Gill was wandering around the hall. His face expressed sadness, I walked towards her. The incident taken place a few hours back had stressed him up.

"Hi, uncle!" I greeted him, but he was engrossed in thoughts. He hadn't heard it, "are you fine?" I inquired, gaining his attention.

"Siddharth..." exclaimed in shock. "Yes... I am doing... well." His voice faint, "only one function is remaining." He expressed his anxiousness, "no longer will Shehnaaz be with us." He paused, driving in his grief. He was sad over the fact that Shehnaaz was getting married, moving away from him. I couldn't share the feeling unless I was a father myself.

With minutes of silence surrounding us, suddenly he voiced. "Can't you ask him to stay behind? He had settled in Canada for years, why is a need to move to India?" He questioned, staring at me with hope. "He will have to start as a raw, and about his family. You're there to look behind your mom and his sister." He was suggesting to me, I paid him no response.

"Uncle, the decision of moving or not is up to him. I had never forced him to leave nor would I ask him to stay behind in Canada. But for your sake will definitely have a conversation regarding it." I replied as he was waiting for my reply.

"Thank you, beta." He pressed my shoulder, "for always understanding me." I smiled at him, denying his gestures. "Due to you, Sana was able to attend her first function after that incident. She had lost touch with the surrounding, you are bringing her back. You're bringing the hope back, earlier I had only seen her smiling due to Kunal but you helped her to move on in her life." Confessed Mr Gill, erasing the insecurity planted by Kunal. My presence meant different for Sana; it couldn't be compared to Kunal.

"Cutie!" I heard her voice, and the insecurity was building blocks once again. "Ahshh!" Sneezes accompanying one after another, I shook my head. Cold was overpowering her!

Later that night, I was roaming around. As I was on the verge to get inside my room, saw a glimpse of Kunal walking inside Sana's. I hadn't seen Sana after our washroom encounter, I was busy in my thoughts. About the only day left! I wasn't aware of the real truth of Sana's past. How was I to cure her less within twenty-four hours?

I walked towards the direction, turning curious. What was Kunal doing in Sana's room? As I knocked and entered, found Shehnaaz and Raghav inside as well. I stared at them with a questioning look, they were peeping at me in stress.

"What's the deal?" I asked, Sana was lying on the bed.

"She is having fever," informed Raghav.

"Due to cold..." suggested Kunal walked towards her. Checking her up, we were staring at him. The shower had consequences, I knew it would happen so I had objected to her.

"Your sister is very much stubborn," grumbling to Shehnaaz.

"After all, she is Shehnaaz's sister." Commented Raghav, gifted with a glare.

"Nothing to worry about!" Spoked Kunal, "need to take care. Its mild fever..." Shehnaaz nodded followed by rest.

I wasn't moving from the room, both the guy left it. I accompanied Shehnaaz looking after Sana, she hadn't informed their parents. Only four of us were aware of her condition.

The day of the wedding had arrived, rather than finishing it off. All I desired was that time could be halted, time was flying from my hand. Few hours and once again, Sana would depart from me. Forever? No! I couldn't let it happen, but how was I supposed to halt it?

Raghav's car had moved towards the gurudwara for the wedding, we had no proper conversation after it. He was mad at me, for not acting. What was I supposed to do? I called Karthik but got no response from him. How was I to know the entire truth? I couldn't speak to Mr. Gill about me be the person. He won't allow me to attend the wedding, what was I supposed to do?

My car was the last to move. Everyone had walked, as I was on the verge to start the engine. Sana was sitting next to me; I had kept her behind. She hadn't fully recovered from the fever, as Shehnaaz won't be able to look after her. I assured her that I won't leave her side, she hadn't trust in anyone the way she trusted me with Sana. Peeping at her who was hell excited for the function, again wearing a heavy lehenga. I couldn't ever understand her craze for those heavy ones!

We were on the main road; she was staring out of the window with wonder. She was like a small kid as if viewing the world from her innocent eyes. As I was staring at her, for a minute I forgot of driving. A horn was heard, that made me glance at the truck before me. I was on the verge to press the brake, but it wasn't working! What the hell was wrong? I glanced at her; those innocent eyes were staring at me with fear. Her mouth on the verge to yell...

I pulled her towards me, hugging her tight. Attempting to shield her from the harm that she was going to receive. With me beside her, she won't have to deal with any wounds, any harm. She would be safe! With it the truck knocked us, a huge sound was heard. I had closed my eyes in fear, fear of the future! My head pressed with something hard, I knew... I was getting unconscious... My grip on her was loosening, I slowly opened my eyes.

A glimpse of her tensed face came to view, a smile covering my face. She was fine! She was alright! I had accomplished not letting anything happen to her.

"Kullu... what happened to you?" she was caressing my face, fear covering it.

Blankness surrounded me...

Tum mere ho iss pal mere ho
Kal shayad yeh aalam na rahe
Kuch aisa ho tum tum na raho
Kuch aisa ho hum hum na rahe
Yeh raaste alag ho jaye
Chalte chalte hum kho jaye
Main Phir Bhi Tumko Chahunga...
Main Phir Bhi Tumko Chahunga...

END...

I had never thought ending will be such. I had never thought this, when I started writing.

I don't know about your reaction... But two bonus chapter are remaining. I am going to be criticized! I always was! Leave it! I am happy with the ending... Something unexpected for me as well.

It's a fanfiction so take it as fictional character!

Thanks for reading!

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